David Bushnell, 91; optics leader

David Pearsall Bushnell, who founded the Bushnell Optical Corporation

and led it to become one of the largest sources of binoculars in the

United States, died March 24 at his home in Laguna Beach where he

lived for 33 years.

Always an adventurer, David skydived for the first time last year

at the age of 91.

Born March 31, 1913, in St. Paul, Minn., he moved with his family

at a young age to Los Angeles. With a technical education of three

years as an undergraduate at California Institute of Technology

(1930-1933), a thirst for knowledge and adventure, and armed with a

letter from Robert A. Millikan, the head of Caltech, and another from

Cordell Hull, the Secretary of State, Bushnell used his thumb, a

bicycle, and the least expensive possible passage on ships to

traverse the globe.

Upon his return, he completed his university studies in foreign

trade, receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of

Southern California in 1936.

After finishing his education, Bushnell struck out on his own in

the import-export business. The coming years saw trade in

commodities, such as asbestos from Arizona, turquoise from Iran and

cement from Belgium.

In 1948, Bushnell bought two cases of binoculars from Japan --

then beginning its recovery from the war -- and sent them back to

California. .

Eventually, Bushnell Optical became a leading source of

riflescopes, spotting scopes, and other optics in America and

throughout the world and beyond -- half of a pair of compact

binoculars was part of the back-up navigation system on an early

manned space flight.

The company was sold to Bausch & Lomb in 1971.

Beyond his family, friends and business, Bushnell was active in a

number of organizations and clubs. As a member of the Church of

Religious Science, he was awarded an honorary doctorate. While a

resident of Pasadena, he was a Rotarian and a member of the Annandale

Golf Club. He was on the board of directors of the Pasadena Boys

Club.

After moving to Laguna Beach, he became a founding member of Big

Canyon Country Club at Newport Beach and of the Shaw’s Cove Yacht

Club. He served as a board member at Shur-Lok Corporation, a

manufacturer of high-tech fasteners in Orange County, and of Wham-O

Inc., inventors of the Frisbee and the Hula Hoop.

Bushnell is credited with introducing the Hula Hoop to Japan. He

also served on the board of Tape Inc. in Wisconsin. His family’s

heritage was reflected in his membership in the Saybrook Colony

Founders Association of Old Saybrook, Conn.

He was a descendant of David Bushnell, the inventor of the first

submarine, called the Turtle, which was used in the Revolutionary

War.

Bushnell is survived by his wife, Nancy; and by his children,

David, Jean Salfen, Steven, and Natasha Suter; and by eight

grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:

Opportunity International 2122 York Road, Ste. 340 Oak Brook, IL

60523; or Center for Universal Truth, 27121 Calle Arroyo St. 2200,

San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675.