Obituary of Robert Glenn Bussell

Robert Glenn Bussell Robert "Rob" Bussell went home to his beloved God on Wednesday, July 27, following a courageous 4-month battle with cancer. His wife, Shirley, was with him as he left this world peacefully in the comfort of his home. Rob is also survived by his mother, Elaine E. Butts of Scotts Valley, sister, Kristine Valentine of Citrus Heights, his two nieces, Sarah and Emily Valentine, his son Billy Ashley and daughter-in-law Laurie Wingo, and mother and father-in-law, Terry and Mel Eberly. Rob was born to Ira Glenn Bussell and Elaine E. Fitzpatrick on August 26, 1950 in Sacramento, California, where he attended grade school and college. Rob was avid gymnast for which he received numerous awards. He received his undergraduate degree and M.A. degree in Communications from California State University, Sacramento, and a PhD in Sciences from Trinity College. Following positions in corporate management with responsibilities in Training and Development and Quality Management for several Silicon Valley corporations, Rob moved to Ben Lomond where he has resided for the past 25 years and served as Founder and Principal of the Pacific Improvement Institute, an organization providing consulting services to numerous corporations around the world in the fields of Quality Management and Continuous Improvement. He was also an Adjunct Professor and consultant on course development and curriculum materials for the University of California Santa Cruz and Cabrillo College. A prolific thinker and author of over 50 magazine articles, 17 professional theses or dissertations including treatises on statistical process control and the management of organizational change and delivered presentations at over a dozen professional conferences. Throughout his life Rob felt blessed to be able to enjoy all of God's wondrous creation. Whether climbing mountains, fishing in peaceful lakes and streams, snorkeling in blue waters or touring on one of his many motorcycles with Shirley and friends, he was full of joy at the wonders of nature. He expressed his soul through writing the words and music for over 75 songs and thoroughly enjoyed playing them on his 6 and 12-string guitars for anyone who would listen. For many years Rob developed and delivered numerous retreats on The Mystical Humanity of Christ throughout the western United States commencing within the diocese of Salt Lake City under the auspices of Salt Lake City Bishop George Niederauer and expanding to the west coast with Bishop Niederauer's elevation to Archbishop of the San Francisco Diocese. Rob's faith was deep and abiding, and he was a very active member of the San Agustin spiritual community, serving in a number of ministries, including coordinator of the liturgy and Eucharistic minister. A Mass of Christian Burial and a celebration of his remarkable life will be held at the Catholic Community of San Agustin, 257 Glenwood Drive, Scotts Valley on Wednesday August 3 at 4:00 PM, preceded by an opportunity for personal prayer beginning at 3:00 PM. Interment will occur at a later date. The family prefers that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Mystical Humanity of Christ, 240 Troon Way, Half Moon Bay, California 94019, a nonprofit organization, so that the work of the organization that he loved and devoted so much of his life and energy to may continue its spiritual work.