Stockton Rush Net Worth

Stockton Rush comes from a wealthy family, with his grandfather being an important director at Standard Oil. This privileged upbringing gave him the opportunity to follow his passions and excel in his studies.

He got a Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a focus on aerospace engineering from Princeton University, and then went on to get a Master of Business Administration from the Haas School of Business at U.C. Berkeley.

Who is Stockton Rush

Stockton Rush was an American businessman and engineer, renowned as the co-founder and CEO of OceanGate, a company specializing in deep-sea exploration. He was born on March 31, 1962, in San Francisco, California, he had a passion for aviation and aquatics from a young age. He pursued his dream of exploring the skies and seas through education and career choices that aligned with his interests.

Rush graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering from Princeton University. His career began as a flight test engineer at McDonnell Douglas, working on the F-15 program. After furthering his education with an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley, he ventured into various roles, including venture capitalism and leadership positions at technology firms.

In 2009, he co-founded OceanGate and led the company in developing submersible technology for oceanic exploration. Tragically, Stockton Rush passed away on June 18, 2023, during an expedition to visit the wreck of the Titanic in the North Atlantic Ocean. His legacy continues through his contributions to aerospace and marine engineering.

Biography

Full NameStockton Rush
Date of BirthMarch 31, 1962
Place of BirthSan Francisco, California, USA
EducationBSE in Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University
MBA, Haas School of Business, U.C. Berkeley
CareerFlight Test Engineer at McDonnell Douglas
Co-founder and CEO of OceanGate
Notable WorkDevelopment of submersible technology for oceanic exploration
PassingJune 18, 2023, during an expedition to the Titanic wreck
Tragic EventOn June 18, 2023, Stockton Rush lost his life during an expedition to explore the wreck of the Titanic in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Early Life and Education

Stockton Rush was born into a wealthy family in San Francisco, California, on March 31, 1962. His maternal grandfather was businessman Ralph K. Davies, and his maternal grandmother, Louise Davies, was a philanthropist.

Rush had a passion for aviation and aquatics from a young age. He began scuba diving at 12 and became a commercial pilot at 18. He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1980.

In 1984, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering from Princeton University. Later, in 1989, he obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of California, Berkeley.

Career Highlights

After Princeton, Rush briefly worked as a flight test engineer for McDonnell Douglas on their F-15 program. He later worked for BlueView Technologies and the Museum of Flight in different capacities.

In 2009, he co-founded OceanGate with Guillermo Söhnlein and became the sole founder after Söhnlein’s departure in 2013. OceanGate focused on developing submersible technology for oceanic exploration.

OceanGate Expeditions and the Titan Submersible

Rush’s company, OceanGate Expeditions, offered a $250,000-a-seat expedition to explore the wreck of the HMS Titanic. The Titan submersible, a cramped 22-feet long cylinder, was equipped with an aerospace-grade carbon fiber hull and titanium hemispheres.

It featured a massive viewport window and 4K cameras to relay the marine environment to those inside. Surprisingly, the submersible was controlled by a generic video game controller and communicated with a tracking team via text messages instead of GPS navigation.

Unfortunately, on June 18, 2023, Rush died along with four others when the Titan imploded during the Titanic expedition in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Legacy

Stockton Rush’s legacy lives on through his contributions to aerospace and marine engineering. His vision for deep-sea exploration and innovative submersible technology continues to inspire future endeavors in oceanic research and discovery.

Stockton Rush’s Net Worth

Stockton Rush’s net worth was estimated to be around $25 million in 2023. This estimation was based on his family’s wealth, his leadership role as the CEO of OceanGate Company, and his extensive experience in aerospace engineering. However, it’s important to note that this figure was an approximation and not an official declaration of his wealth. 

There are also sources that estimated his net worth to be around $12 million USD. These figures reflect his success in the marine technology industry and his contributions to the development of advanced submersibles.

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People May Ask

How rich was Stockton Rush?

Stockton Rush’s net worth was estimated to be around $12 million in 2023. His wealth came from a combination of factors, including his family’s financial background, his role as the CEO of OceanGate, and his extensive experience in aerospace engineering.

Did Stockton Rush have children?

Yes, Stockton Rush had two children:

  • Richard ‘Ben’ Rush: Richard is a pilot based in Washington. He shares his father’s enthusiasm for deep-sea expeditions and has investigated underwater wrecks.
  • Quincy Rush: Quincy is a Judicial law clerk in the United States District Court in the Central District of California. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Chicago Law School in 2020.

How much was OceanGate CEO worth?

OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush had an estimated net worth of $12 million. His wealth was influenced by his family’s financial status, his salary as the CEO of OceanGate, and his background in aerospace engineering.

Who is the billionaire CEO of OceanGate?

Stockton Rush was the CEO of OceanGate, but he was not a billionaire. His estimated net worth was $12 million, which is substantial but not in the billionaire range.