William R. Gustafson Ph.D.

William R Gustafson, PhD

North Kingstown

formerly from Monmouth County - Gustafson, William R, PhD, 76, of North Kingstown, RI and formerly from Monmouth County, NJ passed away peacefully from ALS, Sunday, November 26, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. Bill was married for 54 years to his high school sweetheart Linda (Forte) Gustafson. Bill was born in Hartford, CT son of the late Folke H. Gustafson and Mary (Gliniak) Gustafson. He was predeceased by his sister, Marjorie Courneen, Wethersfield, CT. Bill graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1963 with high honors and distinction with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. He was honored to be a member of the first graduating class of Chemical Engineers. He earned a Ph.D in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1967. He was a member of Tau Beta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi, and Sigma Xi honor societies. He was a member for fifty years of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Dr. Gustafson began his career at American Cyanamid, Stamford, CT as a research scientist. He held several patents for catalyst design and authored many papers on catalyst design and testing. He then joined Engelhard Corporation, Iselin, NJ in 1978 as Product Manager and retired in 1998 as Group Vice President and Business Director of the Petroleum Catalysts Department. Bill leaves behind his loving children, Drs. Kristin and David Gentile, Atlantic Highlands, NJ, Traci and Robert McNeil, Saunderstown, RI, and Dr. Thomas Gustafson, Red Bank, NJ. He adored his grandchildren, Carli and Cady Gentile, Billy and Danny McNeil, and Tyler Gustafson. Poppi took pride in advising his grandchildren on their education and subsequent careers. Bill also leaves his brother, Dr. Richard Gustafson and spouse, Spencer Means of NYC and his favorite in-laws, Deb Cornelio and Marty Courneen. He also leaves several nieces and nephews. Bill enjoyed boating all his life. As a boy, he and his dad built his first boat. Several boats followed. Bill was a Past Commodore of the Shrewsbury Yacht Club, Fair Haven, NJ, and a former member of the Beacon Hill Country Club, Atlantic Highlands, NJ. He was a life-long fan of the NY Giants. A memorial Mass will be held in St. Agnes Church, 103 Center Ave, Atlantic Highlands, NJ on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory to Hope Hospice, 1085 North Main St. Providence, RI. For on-line messages of condolence, kindly visit www.CranstonMurphy.com.