Charles Schusterman

Charles Schusterman
Born 1935
Soviet Union
Died December 30, 2000
Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Cause of death leukemia
Residence Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Alma mater University of Oklahoma
Occupation Businessman, philanthropist
Religion Reform Judaism
Spouse(s) Lynn Schusterman
Children 2 sons (Hal, Jay), 1 daughter (Stacy)
Parent(s) 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

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 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.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Charles Schusterman" (PDF). Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Philanthropist, community leader Charles Schusterman dies". Tulsa World. December 31, 2000. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Charles Schusterman: He Lived the American Dream". Globes. December 31, 2000.
  5. 1 2 Resnick-Ault, Jessica (November 23, 2011). "Schusterman Caps Israel-to-Tulsa Oil Career With KKR Sale". Bloomberg Business. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Charles Schusterman Jewish Community Center.". Tulsa City-County Library. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
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