A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated last week in Scotts Valley for longtime Ben Lomond resident Robert “Rob” Bussell, 60, who died at home after a four-month battle with cancer.
Mr. Bussell was born to Elaine E. Fitzpatrick and Ira Glenn Bussell in Sacramento, where he attended grade school and college. He was an award-winning gymnast, and he received his undergraduate degree and master’s in communications from California State University, Sacramento, and a doctorate from Trinity College.
Following positions in corporate management for several Silicon Valley corporations, Mr. Bussell moved to Ben Lomond, where he lived the past 25 years and founded the Pacific Improvement Institute, a management consultant for corporations worldwide.
He was an adjunct professor and consultant on course development for University of California, Santa Cruz and Cabrillo College. Mr. Bussell was a prolific thinker and author of more than 50 magazine articles and 17 professional theses or dissertations, including treatises on statistical process control and the management of organizational change. He also delivered presentations at more than a dozen professional conferences.
He enjoyed spending time climbing mountains, fishing, snorkeling and touring on his motorcycles with his wife and friends. He wrote 75 songs and enjoyed playing them on his six- and 12-string guitars.
Mr. Bussell developed and delivered retreats on The Mystical Humanity of Christ throughout the western United States, first under the auspices of Salt Lake City Bishop George Niederauer and expanding to the West Coast with the bishop’s elevation to Archbishop of the San Francisco Diocese.
Mr. Bussell was an active member of the San Agustin Catholic Church spiritual community in Scotts Valley, serving in a number of ministries, including coordinator of the liturgy and Eucharistic minister.
Mr. Bussell is survived by his wife, Shirley Bussell; mother, Elaine E. Butts of Scotts Valley; sister, Kristine Valentine of Citrus Heights; son, Billy Ashley, and daughter-in-law, Laurie Wingo, of Boulder Creek; and two nieces.
The family prefers that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to The Mystical Humanity of Christ, 240 Troon Way, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019.
