William “Bill” Ruskin (Cave Junction ’58)
Posted: August 17, 2026
Bill was born in Windber, PA, on March 31, 1939. He passed away at age 87 on August 9, 2026, with his family by his side.
As a teenager, Bill served as a camp director at Philmont Scout Ranch and in 1957 earned the rank of Eagle Scout. That same year, he graduated from Windber Area HS.
He attended the University of Montana and worked his way through college as a smokejumper and squadleader on a hotshot crew in Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness. He worked seasonal jobs with the USFS from 1959-63.
Bill graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in forest management in 1963
That same year, he was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the US Army Corps of Engineers and assigned to the 3rd Engineer Battalion in Munich, Germany. An avid skier, he was later assigned to train with the Royal Norwegian Army in winter warfare and served as a ski instructor for NATO troops in Norway. His active Army duty spanned the years 1963-1966.
It was in Germany where he met his future wife, Brigette. He and Brigette were married 59 years and shared a son, Steve, and a daughter, Stacey.
In 1970, the couple’s love for Colorado and the outdoors brought them to Colorado Springs, where they made their home and became deeply rooted in the community.
Bill devoted his career to preserving open space, making the outdoors accessible to all. After leaving the Army, he founded the Volunteer Conservation Corps (VCC), which later became the American Hiking Society’s Volunteer Vacations program. In its 50th year in 2026, it is the largest volunteer program of its kind in the United States. Bill considered this work one of his proudest accomplishments and an enduring part of his legacy. The program has placed thousands of volunteers on national forests and parks throughout the country. It was the first program to recruit volunteers nationally under the Volunteers in the National Forests Act of 1972.
Bill worked as a planner for the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments. He later became director of planning, design, and development for the Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation Department, where he was responsible for the creation of Ute Valley Park and many improvements to Garden of the Gods Park. In the late 1970s, Bill spearheaded efforts to protect the backdrop of Garden of the Gods, work that directly led to the formation of the Palmer Land Conservancy. Bill also played a key role in developing the World Congress on Adventure Travel and Ecotourism in the early 1990s, helping bring together outdoor operators, conservationists, and tourism bureaus. He later became assistant director of economic development for the City of Colorado Springs, serving as a liaison with the Chamber of Commerce to support the growth of local companies.
Even after retiring from the city in 2000, Bill continued to offer his vision and expertise, contributing to the planning and design of the new Pikes Peak Summit House. He also became vice president of Quality Golf International and published two books, The American Golfer’s Guide to Scotland, and The American Golfer’s Guide to Ireland.
Bill was a Life Member of the NSA and active participant on TRAMPS projects in Colorado, Montana and Idaho.
