William Ruckelshaus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bill Ruckelshaus
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| 1st and 5th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency | |
| In office May 15, 1983 – February 7, 1985 |
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| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Deputy | Alvin L. Alm |
| Preceded by | Anne Gorsuch Burford |
| Succeeded by | Lee M. Thomas |
| In office December 4, 1970 – April 30, 1973 |
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| President | Richard Nixon |
| Deputy | Robert W. Fri |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Russell E. Train |
| 13th United States Deputy Attorney General | |
| In office July 9, 1973 – October 20, 1973 |
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| President | Richard Nixon |
| Preceded by | Joseph Tyree Sneed III |
| Succeeded by | Laurence Silberman |
| Acting Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation | |
| In office April 30, 1973 – July 9, 1973 |
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| President | Richard Nixon |
| Preceded by | L. Patrick Gray (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Clarence M. Kelley |
| United States Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division | |
| In office January 20, 1969 – December 4, 1970 |
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| President | Richard Nixon |
| Preceded by | Edwin L. Weisl Jr. |
| Succeeded by | L. Patrick Gray |
| Member of the Indiana House of Representatives from the 26th district |
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| In office November 9, 1966 – November 6, 1968 |
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| Preceded by | Multi-member district |
| Succeeded by | Multi-member district |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Doyle Ruckelshaus
July 24, 1932 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | November 27, 2019 (aged 87) Medina, Washington, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses |
Ellen Urban
(m. 1960; died 1961)Jill Strickland
(m. 1962) |
| Children | 5 |
| Relatives | John C. Ruckelshaus (brother) John Ruckelshaus (nephew) |
| Education | Princeton University (BA) Harvard University (LLB) |
| Awards | Presidential Medal of Freedom (2015) Seattle Aquarium Medal (2004) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1953–1955 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
William Doyle Ruckelshaus (July 24, 1932 – November 27, 2019) was an American lawyer and government official. He is best known for being the first and fifth head of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Ruckelshaus served in the Indiana House of Representatives from 1966 to 1968. He was also a top lawyer for the U.S. Department of Justice. In 1970, President Richard Nixon chose him to lead the newly formed EPA. He returned to lead the EPA again from 1983 to 1985 under President Ronald Reagan.
In 1973, Ruckelshaus was the acting head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Later that year, as the United States Deputy Attorney General, he famously resigned. This happened during the "Saturday Night Massacre" when he refused President Nixon's order to fire a special investigator looking into the Watergate scandal. His actions showed a strong commitment to doing what was right.
Contents
Early Life and Education
William Ruckelshaus was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on July 24, 1932. His family had a long history of being lawyers and involved in Republican Party politics in Indiana.
He went to private schools and finished high school in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. After high school, he started college at Princeton University.
Military Service
During his college years, Ruckelshaus was drafted into the United States Army. He served for two years, from 1953 to 1955, and became a drill sergeant. After his military service, he returned to Princeton and graduated in 1957 with a degree in history. In 1960, he earned his law degree from Harvard Law School and joined his family's law firm.
Family Life
In 1960, Ruckelshaus married Ellen Urban. Sadly, she passed away the next year after giving birth to their twin daughters. In 1962, he married Jill Strickland, and they had three more children together.
Early Career in Law and Politics
After becoming a lawyer, Ruckelshaus joined his family's law firm in Indianapolis.
Working for Indiana
In 1960, at age 28, he became the Deputy Attorney General for the state of Indiana. He worked in this role until 1965. During this time, he helped stop industries and cities from polluting Indiana's water. He also helped create Indiana's first law to control air pollution in 1961.
In 1966, Ruckelshaus was elected to the Indiana House of Representatives. He served one term and became the first new legislator to lead the House as its majority leader.
Joining the U.S. Government
In 1969, President Richard Nixon appointed Ruckelshaus as a U.S. Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. He held this important legal position until 1970.
Leading the Environmental Protection Agency (1970–1973)
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William Ruckelshaus became the very first Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) when it was created on December 2, 1970. President Nixon chose him for this new and important role.
One of his first major actions was to file a lawsuit against a steel company that was polluting the Cuyahoga River with harmful chemicals. This river had famously caught fire due to pollution, causing a national outcry.
During his first time leading the EPA, Ruckelshaus also worked to ban the insecticide DDT. This chemical was found to be very harmful to the environment and wildlife. He also helped set up the EPA's main goals and structure, and he oversaw the start of the Clean Air Act of 1970, a major law to reduce air pollution.
The Saturday Night Massacre (1973)
In April 1973, during the growing Watergate scandal, President Nixon made many changes to his team. Ruckelshaus was known for his success and honesty, so he was first appointed as the acting head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Later that year, he was promoted to Deputy Attorney General.
On October 20, 1973, a famous event known as the "Saturday Night Massacre" took place. The Attorney General, Elliot Richardson, and then Ruckelshaus, both resigned from their jobs. They refused to obey President Nixon's order to fire Archibald Cox, a special investigator who was looking into Nixon's actions in the Watergate scandal.
Their resignations showed that they believed in the importance of the investigation and that no one, not even the President, was above the law. This event led to a huge public reaction and eventually contributed to President Nixon's resignation in 1974.
Working in the Private Sector (1973–1983)
After leaving the Justice Department, Ruckelshaus worked as a lawyer in Washington D.C. for a few years.
In 1975, he moved to Seattle, Washington, and became a senior leader at Weyerhaeuser, a large timber company. He stayed there until 1983.
Returning to the EPA (1983–1985)
In 1983, the EPA was facing big problems. Many people had resigned, and public trust in the agency was low. President Ronald Reagan asked Ruckelshaus to return and lead the EPA again.
Ruckelshaus's main goal was to rebuild public confidence in the EPA. He hired skilled people for important roles and refocused the agency on its main job of protecting the environment. He worked hard to improve the EPA's reputation with the public and with Congress.
On November 28, 1984, Ruckelshaus announced he would retire from the EPA. He officially left on February 7, 1985.
Later Career and Recognition
Environmental Leadership
After his second time at the EPA, Ruckelshaus continued to be involved in environmental work. From 1983 to 1986, he served on the World Commission on Environment and Development, which was set up by the United Nations.
From 1988 to 1999, he was the chief executive officer of Browning-Ferris Industries, a large company that handles waste. During his time there, the company focused more on recycling.
Ruckelshaus also served on many important boards, including those for the World Resources Institute and the University of Washington's Ruckelshaus Center, which focuses on environmental issues.
Political Views and Awards
In 2008, Ruckelshaus supported Barack Obama for president. In 2016, he and another former Republican EPA head, William K. Reilly, supported Hillary Clinton for president.
In November 2015, President Barack Obama awarded Ruckelshaus the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is the highest civilian award in the United States, given to people who have made important contributions to the security or national interests of the U.S., world peace, culture, or other significant public or private endeavors.
Death
William Ruckelshaus passed away at his home in Medina, Washington, on November 27, 2019. He was 87 years old.
See also
