NuStar Founder Bill Rasmussen Dies

William R. Rasmussen

William R. Rasmussen, founder of NuStar Inc., died July 29, the company announced. He was 74.

Rasmussen started NuStar in the early 1960s as a carwash distributor and manufacturer of rollover automatic carwash equipment. Today, the company offers several touch-free, Soft Touch and combination machines, as well as accessories and dryers.

Rasmussen is credited for diversifying NuStar’s interests by acquiring PowerPusher, a manufacturer of pedestrian-operated, battery-powered tugs designed to push or pull wheeled loads up to 100 tons, and ERGOtug, specializing in motorized material handling and health-care patient transport equipment

“His leadership, his friendship and his compassion has touched so many and will be greatly missed,” NuStar officials said in a released statement.