William S. Rukeyser ’61

Bill died Aug. 16, 2022, of metastatic lung cancer in a hospice in Knoxville, Tenn.

Born in New York City, he came to us from New Rochelle High School. At Princeton, he majored in English, took his meals at Campus, and roomed with Mark Rose and John Randolph. Consistent with the career that was to follow, he was president of the University Press Club and a columnist for PAW and the Prince. He remained an adviser to the Press Club until his death.

Following a master’s degree at Christ College, Cambridge, he worked for Time Inc., during which he was a founder of Money magazine and managing editor of Fortune. He then relocated to Knoxville to become editor-in-chief at Whittle Communications, followed by years of consulting in and writing about economics and financial strategies. He was former chair of the University of Tennessee Medical Center and for many years was a director of the Overseas Press Club, described as “a major force on our board” by its president. In 2002, he was made an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at Maryville (Tenn.) College.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Elisabeth; son James; daughter Lisa; and four grandchildren.