Date of Birth: July 24, 1932
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Date of Death: November 27, 2019
Biography
William Doyle Ruckelshaus was an influential American lawyer and government official best known for his role in environmental policy and his principled stand during the Watergate scandal. Born into a family with a rich legal background, Ruckelshaus graduated from Princeton University and Harvard Law School. He began his career in public service as deputy attorney general of Indiana, and later served as the state’s attorney general. Ruckelshaus’s most notable contributions came during his tenure as the first Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Richard Nixon. Appointed in 1970, he was tasked with organizing and leading the newly established agency. His leadership was instrumental in setting the foundation for the EPA’s future work, including the enforcement of the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act. In 1973, Ruckelshaus was appointed as the Deputy Attorney General of the United States. During the Watergate scandal, he famously refused to fire Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox, leading to his resignation in what became known as the “Saturday Night Massacre.” He later returned to the EPA in the 1980s under President Ronald Reagan to restore the agency’s credibility. Beyond his government service, Ruckelshaus held various positions in the private sector, including roles at Weyerhaeuser Company and the Perkins Coie law firm. He was widely respected for his integrity, dedication to public service, and commitment to environmental protection.
5 Interesting Facts about William Ruckelshaus
1. William Ruckelshaus was the first Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
2. He played a key role in the enforcement of the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act.
3. Ruckelshaus resigned as Deputy Attorney General during the Watergate scandal in the “Saturday Night Massacre.”
4. He served two non-consecutive terms as the head of the EPA.
5. Ruckelshaus was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015 by President Barack Obama.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from William Ruckelshaus
1. “Nature provides a free lunch, but only if we control our appetites.”
2. “The environment is where we all meet; where we all have a mutual interest; it is the one thing all of us share.”
3. “Personal integrity is important, not only because it is the right way to live, but because it is the only way to live.”
4. “You cannot achieve environmental security and human development without addressing the basic issues of health and nutrition.”
5. “Environmental protection is not an end in itself. It is a means to achieving a higher quality of life for all of our citizens.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by William Ruckelshaus is estimated to be around $10 million.
Children
William Ruckelshaus had five children: Jennifer, William Jr., Mary, Jill, and David.
Relevant Links
4. [Ruckelshaus Center for Public Policy](https://ruckelshauscenter.wsu.edu/
