 A true visionary and an efficient team builder Thakre has major contribution in building the organisation in Chhattisgarh.He died 28 December 2003 at the age of 81 at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi after prolonged illness as he was suffering from kidney cancer.Some of the places named after him are Kushabhau Thakre University of Journalism and Mass Communication in Raipur, Kushabhau Thakre Nursing College, Kushabhau Thakre Inter State Bus Terminal in Bhopal, Kushabhau Thakre Community Hall in Ahmedabad, Kushabhau Thakre District hospital in Shahdol and Kushabhau Thakre Road in Indore.