Daniel Edward Slusser Obituary

Daniel E. Slusser was born on July 7, 1938, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, to Mary and Robert Slusser. He passed away in Camarillo, California on July 7, 2023. He is preceded in death by his mother, father and sister, Mildred Tango. He is survived by his brother, Robert Daisey of Dover, Delaware, his wife of 62 years, Grace Slusser and their four daughters, Kathleen Reynolds of Camarillo, Jacalyn Beaven of West Hills, Robin Joy Slusser of Castaic and Patricia Teter of Fort Worth, Texas. Mr. Slusser was blessed with eleven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.
Mr. Slusser served nearly five years in the US Navy as a noncommissioned officer. During that period, he was assigned to the Under Water Demolition Team #21. After his discharge, he attended Union Junior College in Cranford, New Jersey and Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
He started his career in 1961 with the Carborundum Company in Keasbey, New Jersey as a Laborer, during which time he was Vice President of the Local #8490 of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers International Union. When he departed in 1964, he was the Night Shift Supervisor. In 1964, he became the Plant Superintendent of Geigy Chemical Dyestuff plant in Bayonne, New Jersey. In 1967, he joined Deluxe Film Laboratories, a subsidiary of 20th Century Fox, in New York as their Industrial Relations Representative. During this period, he was instrumental in relocating Deluxe Film Labs and the 20th Century Fox corporate offices to California and moved to the West Coast with his family as Director of Labor Relations & Employment for 20th Century Fox.
In June of 1974, he joined MCA, the parent company of Universal Studios, as Vice President of Administration of the Yosemite Park & Curry Company in Yosemite National Park. In 1976, he was transferred to Universal Studios as Vice President of the MCA Recreation Services Group. In 1979, he was promoted to Senior Vice President & General Manager of Universal City Studios and a Corporate Vice President of MCA, where he remained until his retirement in January 1997. The following April, he joined Digital Theater Systems (DTS) as their CEO & Chairman of the Board. He had started DTS while at Universal Studios as a joint venture with Universal Studios and Steven Spielberg. He and others led the company to a successful IPO in July 2003. In 2010, he retired again and remained a consultant with DTS as their Chairman Emeritus.
During his career, Mr. Slusser led and served on many professional associations, organizations and boards, including the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, American Society of Cinematographers, Museum of Television & Radio, Financial & Administrative Management Executives (FAME) in Entertainment, and Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers. He was a Founding Member of DARE America and Substance Abuse Narcotics Education (SANE), two-term Vice Chairman of the California State Film Commission, two-term Chairman of the Los Angeles County Filming Advisory Board and two-term President of the Los Angeles City Film Development Committee. He was also an appointed member of the California State Earthquake Preparedness Committee and the Los Angeles County Quality & Productivity Commission. He served on the Board of Directors for many prominent organizations, including DTS, the Motion Picture & Television Fund, the Entertainment Industry Foundation (formerly Permanent Charities Committee), the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Film & Television Investment Commission, World Jam, Maxi Vision, and the Pleasure Point Marina. He took pride in leadership and was honored to serve as Chairman for many of those organizations. He received the Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers Presidential Award and was named Man of the Year by the Israel Histadrut Organization in 1986.
He was very proud of his family and often said the most important title he ever held was “Grandpa.”
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to either or both of the following charities.
Special Operations Warrior Foundation
Attn: Tom Dietz retired CO Seal Team #5
P.O. Box 13483
Tampa, FL 33618
Motion Picture & Television Fund Foundation
Attn: Ken Scherer
23388 Mulholland Dr. #220
Woodland Hills, CA 91364