 Busch's wife died in 1939; Busch himself died in Kansas City in 1943.Busch was especially noted for his works based on themes from the Western United States, and he would frequently incorporate American Indian themes into his music.He set many tribal songs as solos, and reworked some into larger pieces such as the "Four Indian Tribal Melodies" for string orchestra, based upon the music of the Omaha and Chippewa.