When a Pennsylvania state law was passed to ban blind bidding, movie distributors sued the state, Budco Theatres, and Fox Theatres. The U.S. District Court eventually ruled that the state law banning blind bidding was legal. It was a big win for movie theaters, said Adam Koppel, Mr. Busch's stepson.
By 1987 Budco had 113 movie screens in 42 locations when it was acquired by AMC Entertainment Inc. Mr. Busch was president of AMC Philadelphia until retiring in the mid-1990s. He was past chairman of the National Organization of Theater Owners.
He loved films, especially Woody Allen and Mel Brooks movies. His favorite was Blazing Saddles, his stepson said.
Mr. Busch grew up in Strawberry Mansion and graduated from Central High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Pennsylvania and worked on the Eniac computer at Penn.
He earned a law degree from Penn and then worked for a lawyer in Center City before establishing a law office in Bala Cynwyd.
Early in his legal career, Mr. Busch volunteered his services to the ACLU. He was active with many charities, was a supporter of the State of Israel, and served as president of the Abington School Board.
He enjoyed travel, golf, bridge, playing the banjo, and spending late afternoons at the beach at his vacation homes in Ventnor, N.J., and Boca Raton, Fla.
In addition to his stepson, Mr. Busch is survived by his wife of 31 years, Sondra Busch; daughters Amy Beccone, Lauren Jabbour, and Hillary Mongeau; stepdaughters Janice Birenbaum, Wendy Klein, and Cindy Durst; and 14 grandchildren.
A service will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 14, at the mausoleum at Roosevelt Memorial Park, 2701 Old Lincoln Highway, Trevose.
Contact staff writer Sally A. Downey at 215-854-2913 or sdowney@phillynews.com.
