Kurt Gustafson

Kurt Gustafson Aug. 1, 1951 — Feb. 20, 2009 Kurt Gustafson, 57, died in his home Friday, Feb. 20, after a long battle with a rare form of adult onset muscular dystrophy. He was born Aug. 1, 1951, in Eureka, Calif., to Tom and Alice Gustafson. He moved a lot during his early childhood as his father was in the military. His elementary school years were spent in the Roseburg area, but he graduated from high school in Missoula, Mont., in 1969. He joined the Coast Guard upon graduating and served on Light Ships and Buoy Tenders off the Oregon and Washington coast. He also spent some time at Base Kodiak in Alaska. After the Coast Guard, Kurt spent some time enjoying the ’60s and everything that went with them. He moved back to Corvallis in 1975 and worked for Greyhound in both Corvallis and Salem. He met his wife, Cheri, in 1976, and it was love at first sight. They were married in June 1977; Kurt then began attending college and Cheri worked as a registered nurse. Kurt graduated from Western Oregon University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science in education and graduated from Oregon State University in 1984 with a master’s degree in computer science education. He taught for the Greater Albany Public School District from 1980 to 2006, when his illness forced him to retire. He taught at Grand Prairie Elementary, Memorial Middle School, South Shore Elementary and North Albany Middle School. He loved teaching and learning. He was best known as “Mr. G,” who always wore tie-dye T-shirts, a long beard, shaved head and Birkenstocks. He was also very involved in his children’s lives as well as their friends’. The Gustafson house was where everyone liked to “hang out.” Kurt would often entertain them with stories of the ’60s or perhaps having a “hot sauce” competition. He was very proud of both of his children, his daughter’s love of organic living and his son’s love of music. His greatest regret was that he would not be here to watch them fulfill their life’s purpose. He was a free thinker, lover of nature and most of all passionate in his love for Jesus, his Lord and Savior. He began a worship group in his home church and thoroughly enjoyed singing and praising God. He is survived by his wife, Cheri; daughter Jenn Verdries and her husband, Bill; his son Joel; and his brother Leo and sister-in-law, Kimiko, who all live in Corvallis. Per his words, he wants everyone to know he has gone on vacation from this life and is sleeping safely in Jesus. A celebration of his life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Seventh-day Adventist Church,3160 S.W. Western Blvd., Corvallis. Per his request, please dress in casual clothing and tie-dye if you have it. Memorials can be made to the Kurt A. Gustafson Memorial Fund in care of the McHenry Funeral Home, 206 N.W. Fifth St., Corvallis, OR 97330.

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Kurt Gustafson

August 1, 1951 - February 20, 2009