Charles Schusterman
Charles Schusterman | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1935 |
| Died | December 30, 2000 Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Cause of death | leukemia |
| Alma mater | University of Oklahoma |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, philanthropist |
| Spouse | Lynn Schusterman |
| Children | 2 sons (Hal, Jay), 1 daughter (Stacy) |
| Parent | Sam Schusterman |
Charles Schusterman (1935-2000) was a Soviet-born American businessman and philanthropist. He was the founder of the Samson Investment Company, a privately owned oil and gas company with oilfield investments in the United States, Canada, Venezuela and Russia. He was a large donor to Jewish causes in the United States and Israel.
Early life
Charles Schusterman was born in 1945 in the Soviet Union.[1][2][3] He emigrated to the United States as a child with his family.[1] He had a brother, Dan and a sister, Ruth (Poznik).[3] He grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[2]
Schusterman graduated from the University of Oklahoma, where he received a bachelor of science degree in petroleum engineering.[2][3][4] He subsequently served in the United States Army.[2][3]
Career
Schusterman started his career in the oil industry in Oklahoma.[2] In 1971, he borrowed US$30,000 from his mother and founded the Samson Investment Company, a privately owned oil and gas company.[1][2][3] The company was named in honor of Samson, a Biblical figure, as well as for his father.[1] His investments included oilfields in the United States, but also in Canada, Venezuela and Russia.[3]
Philanthropy
With his wife, Schusterman co-founded the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation.[2] They donated millions to his alma mater, the University of Oklahoma; the Parent Child Center of Tulsa; and the Israel Arts and Science Academy in Jerusalem, Israel.[3]
With Edgar Bronfman, Sr. and Michael Steinhardt, Schusterman co-founded the Synagogue Transformation and Renewal.[1] Their goal was to revive synagogue attendance across the United States.[1]
Personal life
Schusterman married Lynn Schusterman, a philanthropist.[2] They had two sons, Hal and Jay, and a daughter, Stacy H. Schusterman.[3][5] They resided in Tulsa.[2]
Death and legacy
Schusterman was first diagnosed with leukemia in 1983.[5] He died on December 30, 2000.[2][3] His funeral was held at Temple Israel.[3] He was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in November 2000.[2] Meanwhile, the Charles Schusterman Jewish Community Center in Tulsa was named in his honor.[6]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Ovide, Shira (October 11, 2011). "Rich Family You've Never Heard Of Could Sell Their Company for $10 Billion". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Charles Schusterman" (PDF). Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Philanthropist, community leader Charles Schusterman dies". Tulsa World. December 31, 2000. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- ^ "Charles Schusterman: He Lived the American Dream". Globes. December 31, 2000.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help) - ^ a b Resnick-Ault, Jessica (November 23, 2011). "Schusterman Caps Israel-to-Tulsa Oil Career With KKR Sale". Bloomberg Business. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
- ^ "Charles Schusterman Jewish Community Center". Tulsa City-County Library. Retrieved February 15, 2016.