William H. Rusher, Jr.
May 5, 1941 - December 4, 2016
Bill Rusher, whose fascination with people and the world around him was exceeded only by his love of family and a commitment to charity born of a very big heart and genuinely gregarious style, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2016 with his family by his side. Bill balanced his considerable business successes, including the prominence he gained in the fields of executive search and consulting, with life-long commitments to family, friends, protection of at risk children, and community service.
Bill was born in Washington, D.C., the first of four children, to William Humphrey Rusher Sr and Dorothea (“Pert”) Hobson Rusher (subsequently Dorothea Hobson Loving) in Washington, DC. He lived in Scarsdale, NY, and Greens’ Farms, CT before moving to Hillsborough, CA. He attended Loomis School in Windsor, CT, Burlingame High School in Burlingame, CA, and graduated from Wilkins High School in San Francisco. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at UC Santa Barbara where he took on several leadership roles in UCSB’s intramural life. He served in the National Guard and followed his father briefly into the business of insurance at New York Life before finding his life’s work in executive search and management consulting.
Bill’s life-long fascination with people, particularly their potential and motivations, fueled his genius as an evaluator of human potential and confidant to those in senior management. In 1977 he formed his own company, serving as CEO and Chairman of The Corporate Service Group, Ltd, which became known as Rusher Loscavio & LoPresto and later Rusher Loscavio. His professional accomplishments included the hundreds of careers he shaped and enterprises he guided, serving on various boards of directors including Finelite Inc, Second Opinion, his work as confidant and coach to numerous executives, and his activities as investor in and coach to start-up companies. Bill was a past member of the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC) Blue Ribbon Committee on Communications, a past president and Director for the California Executive Recruiters Association, and past President of the San Francisco OTL Club.
Bill was active and outspoken in protecting the unprotected, underprivileged or oppressed. He was active and hands-on in foster care and adoption programs in the Bay Area. He was involved and chaired committees for numerous not-for-profit and church organizations. He served on the Board of Directors of the Danny Foundation, an organization dedicated to protecting infants from unregulated nursery room hazards, and also was a board member with Coleman Advocates for Youth and Episcopal Charities. Over the years his firm hosted golf tournaments that benefited various notfor-profit groups including the Football Hall of Fame, the San Jose Symphony and the American Red Cross.
Bill’s life centered around family and building relationships. He was a friend and mentor to many, and immensely enjoyed golf as a social as well as athletic pastime. He was a member of the Olympic Club in San Francisco, Monterey Peninsula Country Club in Pebble Beach, and Blackhawk Country Club in Danville.
Bill’s parents and younger brother, Dunbar White Rusher, predeceased him. He is survived by his devoted wife, Jacqueline Keppy Rusher, four children, William Humphrey Rusher III, Stephen Keppy Rusher, Samantha Hobson Rusher and Jennifer Dailey Rusher, three grand children, and by his sisters Lynde Rusher Firman and Criss Rusher Hughes and their families.
A memorial, followed by refreshments and a reception, celebrating Bill’s life will be held Saturday, February 4, 2017 at Lafayette Veterans’ Memorial Center, 3780 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette, CA 94549 commencing at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, if desired, donations to the American Red Cross and/or George Mark Children’s House in San Leandro, California in Bill’s memory will be appreciated.