Richard Emery Zuschlag (March 28, 1948 – June 5, 2024) was an American businessman who was the chairman and chief executive officer of Acadian Ambulance Service, which he co-founded in 1971, in Lafayette, Louisiana. Zuschlag previously worked at the Greenville Broadcasting Company and Westinghouse Electric Space and Defense Center. Prior to his death, he was the only one of the three co-founders of Acadian Ambulance who remained with the company, which is best known for its advanced technologies in medical care and communications.[1][2]

Richard Zuschlag
Zuschlag in 2015
Born
Richard Emery Zuschlag

(1948-03-28)March 28, 1948
DiedJune 5, 2024(2024-06-05) (aged 76)
Alma materCapitol Technology University
(BoS)
Occupation(s)Businessman, engineer
HonoursLouisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame inductee (2019)

Biography

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A native of Greenville in Mercer County in northwestern Pennsylvania, Zuschlag graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Capitol Technology University in Washington, D.C., then known as Capitol College.

Zuschlag served on numerous committees and boards, including the Bush-Clinton Coastal Recovery Fund Committee, American Ambulance Association, Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors, University of Louisiana at Lafayette Foundation, Tiger Athletic Foundation, New Orleans Business Council, Drew Brees Quarterback Club, Lafayette Civic Cup, Lafayette Parish Communication District, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, Louisiana Hospital Association, Acadiana Safety Association, 232-HELP, Council for a Better Louisiana, Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Association, Louisiana Association of Broadcasters, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, and Committee 100.

Death

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Zuschlag died from cancer in Lafayette, Louisiana, on June 5, 2024, at age 76.[3][4]

Awards

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  • 2022 Honored by Community Foundation of Acadiana as its Leader in Philanthropy for Lafayette Parish.[5]
  • 2022 Received the Walter J. Schaefer Award from American Ambulance Association.[6]
  • 2020 Received the William A. Oliver Memorial Award from the LA RISE Coalition.[7]
  • 2019 Honored by UL Lafayette during its Spring Gala.[8]
  • 2012 Entrepreneur of the Year in the Healthcare and Healthcare Services category for the Gulf Coast Region of the accounting firm of Ernst & Young[11][12]
  • 2005 Honorable Mention Entrepreneur Award from Inc. magazine
  • 1995 Golden Mike Award from the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters
  • 1988 Marketer of the Year

References

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  1. ^ "Seeds for 911: Acadian Ambulance". rwjf.org. February 6, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2012.
  2. ^ "A Service Looks at 40". emsworld.com. January 1, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2012.
  3. ^ "Acadian Ambulance founder Richard Zuschlag dies at 76". KLFY.com. June 5, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  4. ^ Daigle, Tyler; Bridges, Adam (June 5, 2024). "Richard Zuschlag, who built Acadian Ambulance service into powerhouse, dies at 76". The Advocate. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  5. ^ "2022 Leaders In Philanthropy Awards Honorees]". October 1, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  6. ^ "American Ambulance Association 2022 Award Winners Announced]". August 29, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  7. ^ "Twitter]". October 31, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  8. ^ "2019 Spring Gala honors Richard Zuschlag and family with special guest". March 13, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  9. ^ "Louisiana announces Political Hall of Fame inductees". KNOE-TV. January 13, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  10. ^ "Richard Zuschlag 70508, March 1948". Louisiana Secretary of State. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  11. ^ "Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Gulf Coast Area (South Texas/Louisiana/Mississippi)". ey.com. 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2012.
  12. ^ "Acadian CEO and Chairman Receives Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 Award". PRWeb. June 28, 2012. Archived from the original on March 5, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2012.
  13. ^ "2012 Louisiana Legends Honorees". Louisiana Public Broadcasting. 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2012.
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