Stockton Rush American businessman, co-founder and CEO of OceanGate Date of Birth: 31.03.1962 Country: USA

1. Early Life
2. Education and Career Path
3. Founding OceanGate
4. Role at OceanGate
5. Personal Life
6. Tragic Death
7. Legacy

Stockton Rush: Businessman, Ocean Explorer, and Co-Founder of OceanGate

Early Life

Stockton Rush was born into a privileged family in Princeton, New Jersey. His father, a Princeton University graduate, and mother, Helen Davis, raised Stockton alongside his sisters, Deborah and Catherine. From a young age, Stockton displayed a bold and adventurous spirit, inheriting the determination and resilience of his ancestors, Benjamin Rush and Richard Stockton, signatories of the Declaration of Independence.

Education and Career Path

Stockton pursued his education at Princeton University, graduating in 1984 with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. During his time there, he also trained as a fighter pilot through United Airlines' training program. Initially drawn to the allure of space, Stockton realized his true passion lay in exploring the depths of the ocean, a vast realm teeming with undiscovered secrets.

After earning an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley in 1989, Rush embarked on a varied career. As a pilot for DС-8, he flew to far-flung destinations like Cairo, London, and Khartoum. He later became a test engineer at McDonnell Douglas Corporation and a board member for BlueView Technologies, specializing in high-frequency sonar. His corporate expertise extended to Entomo and Remote Control Technology, providing software and technological equipment to industrial clients like Exxon, Philips, and Boeing.

Founding OceanGate

In 2009, Stockton Rush's interest shifted to the field of advanced underwater technology. He founded OceanGate, a company dedicated to designing, building, and operating manned submersibles. Rush took on the roles of financial strategist and chief engineer, leveraging his expertise in engineering and business administration.

Role at OceanGate

As the CEO of OceanGate, Rush championed the development of deep-sea tourism. He believed that such adventures not only offered thrilling experiences but also contributed to scientific research through high-resolution underwater imagery. Rush was an advocate for the safety of diving, emphasizing that the industry had not experienced serious injuries or fatalities in over 30 years.

Personal Life

Stockton Rush married Wendy Hollings Weil in 1986. Wendy, a former school teacher, became the Director of Communications for OceanGate and is a licensed pilot herself. Notably, Wendy is the great-great-granddaughter of Isidor Straus, a wealthy passenger on the Titanic who refused to leave without ensuring all children and women were safe first. Wendy's grandmother, Ida Straus, chose to stay with her husband and perished alongside him.

Tragic Death

On June 18, 2023, Stockton Rush joined a deep-sea expedition to the Titanic wreckage aboard the submersible Titan. Unfortunately, the vessel failed to resurface, and all five crew members, including Rush, were declared deceased on June 22nd. The exact cause of the tragedy remains under investigation.

Legacy

Stockton Rush's contributions to underwater exploration and the development of manned submersibles will continue to inspire future generations. His passion for adventure and pursuit of knowledge serve as a reminder of the boundless opportunities that lie beneath the ocean's surface.