Plan for the Future
~~William Moore Bustin, 88, retired global expert on static electricity at Exxon Mobil Research (Esso), died Saturday September 16th in Chatham, NJ (formerly of Summit and Maplewood, NJ) from complications after a fall. He is survived by three first cousins Frances, Mildred and Betsy, and many cousins once, twice and three times removed. Bill was like a brother to his first cousins and an uncle to many others. Bill was a dedicated family man. His dedication extended to his uncle whom he cared for lovingly for the last 20 years of the uncle’s life.
Bill was a 1951 graduate of Rensselaer Polytech Institute (RPI), with a BS in Electrical Engineering. He was hired by Esso immediately upon graduation and plunged into solving the problem of explosions in oil tankers. He held at least one patent on the “Measurement of potential gradients in electrostatic fields”. He published a book on electrostatic hazards in the industry.
His employment at Esso required constant worldwide travel. Although Bill was a many faceted intellectual with interests in horticulture, music and brain science—travel was not, in the least bit one of them. He learned to tolerate it by focusing on his interest in tea. He collected teas from all over the world, and amassed an extraordinary variety. One cousin recalls him having a “tea party” with her.
Upon retirement, he was a devoted volunteer for the American Red Cross for many years. He was an active resident of Winchester Gardens in Maplewood, holding the chair of the dining committee and recording secretary of executive committee meetings. He also managed an up to date list of all the residents. He is missed by all who knew him.
Memorial September 30, 2017 10:30am, Wm A. Bradley & Son Funeral Home, 345 Main St, Chatham, NJ 07928, private burial at Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY. In lieu of flowers the family asks to consider donating to RPI, Gifts Processing Ctr, P.O. Box 3164, Boston, MA 02241-3164 or the American Red Cross.