William R. Rugg ’51

William R. Rugg ’51, a longtime regional planner and community redevelopment professional, died in San Leandro, California, on October 18, 2019. Bill’s career interests formed at Dartmouth, where he majored in architecture, and in graduate studies at the University of North Carolina, where he earned a master’s in regional planning. He served as director of community development for the City of San Leandro for 36 years. He was also the cofounder, president, and longest-serving board member of the California Redevelopment Association and was a member of the board of the League of California Cities. Bill’s love of the outdoors was also evident as an undergraduate. He was president of the Canoe Club and an active member of Cabin & Trail and the Dartmouth Outing Club, as well as Green Key and Kappa Kappa Kappa. A member of Dartmouth’s ROTC unit, he went on to serve on a destroyer in Korea for three years and as a reserve office for 26 years, retiring as a captain. Bill loved his Navy experience, saying it was as important in his life and career as his years at Dartmouth. In retirement, he remained active in school reform. He and his wife, Norma, shared a love of travel, in their motor home and on their twin motorcycles. They were members of a snowmobile club (each with a snowmobile) and enjoyed many Elderhostel trips. Their vacation home in the Sierras was an endless source of pleasure.