Obituary: Wayne A. 'Rusty' Drugan

Wayne A. "Rusty" Drugan, the executive director of the New England Independent Booksellers Association from 1992 until his resignation in August due to illness, died on Thursday, December 7, 2006, at his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was 59.

Drugan was remembered by many in the book industry as a politically astute and extremely intelligent man who was devoted to his work at NEIBA (formerly the New England Booksellers Association) and to the book industry, as well as an avid proponent of free speech. Drugan was also recalled as a man of character, who was thoughtful and kind.

"I've been [Rusty's] co-worker and a friend for 20 years," said Nan Sorenson, assistant executive director for NEIBA. "Nobody could ask for a better boss. He was smart and supportive and a good friend to booksellers. The thing I noticed when he wasn't in the office is just how much I missed his knowledge of publishing and bookselling."

Drugan was born on August 11, 1947, to Nora K. Marcks of Valley City, North Dakota, and the late Wayne Drugan. He received a B.A. from the University of North Dakota, where he was Summa Cum Laude, in the Honors Program, and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Drugan then continued his education as a Rhodes Scholar at Exeter College, Oxford University. While there, he received the Exeter College Academic Award.

From 1977 to 1992, Drugan worked at Reading International in several positions, including vice president. He began his tenure as executive director of NEIBA in 1992. Drugan was also a member of the board of directors of the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE), and, from 1995 until his passing, served as a Republican Election Commissioner for the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts.

"Rusty was great," said NEIBA President Allan Schmid of Books Etc., in Portland, Maine. "I considered him a mentor in certain ways. He knew the bookselling business really well.... If I had a question, I'd turn to him first.... He really built [NEIBA] up and made it what it is today. I think 'dedicated' is the word I'd use to describe him -- very dedicated."

"I had the privilege of working with Rusty for over 15 years. He will be sorely missed," said Oren Teicher, ABA COO. "Most people in our business know about Rusty's outstanding work at NEIBA, but not as many know about the time and attention he devoted to his service as a member of the ABFFE Board. While he and I may have disagreed at times about partisan politics, there was no stronger free expression advocate than Rusty, and he remained active in ABFFE Board deliberations until just a few weeks prior to his passing. The First Amendment has lost a tireless defender and a very good friend."

"Defending free speech was one of Rusty's passions," said ABFFE President Chris Finan. "As a member of the ABFFE board since 2001, he strongly advocated the view that booksellers should support free speech in all First Amendment controversies, including those that don't immediately affect their interests. He will be greatly missed."

Suzy Staubach of U-Conn Co-op of Storrs, Connecticut, who knew Drugan for over 20 years, said, "As an executive director, [Rusty] was amazing. He always helped everyone see all sides of an issue." On a personal level, Staubach described Drugan as a thoughtful person, with a quiet sense of humor, who "read history, politics. He was a huge supporter of the First Amendment.... He carefully listened to all sides. He was very smart."

NEIBA Past-President Fran Keilty of Hickory Stick Bookshop in Washington Depot, Connecticut, said Drugan was "one of the best people I've ever known -- one of the smartest, one of the kindest. He was so sensitive to everyone. And he was politically smart about how to handle things."

Noting that Drugan had been working with NEIBA's Strategic Planning Committee to craft a new plan, Keilty recalled, "[Rusty] had a willingness to let everything get turned upside down. He was concerned about what was good for the organization. He was without any ego ... he had that openness, even welcomed it.

"I'm going to miss him dreadfully. The world will not be the same place. It was a special moment in time working with him."

Drugan is survived by a brother, Manfred Drugan, and his wife, Janice Drugan, of Valley City, North Dakota, two sisters, Patricia Robbins and her husband, Bill Robbins, of Cavalier, North Dakota, Sharon Miller and her husband, Dale Miller, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A memorial service is being planned by the NEIBA for sometime in January. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Pancreatic Cancer Research, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, Massachusetts 01701. --David Grogan