Alan W. Gustafson

Ever a gentleman, Alan W. Gustafson passed peacefully on Monday, October 14, 2024, at the age of 88, having lived the past few years with grace, dignity and grit as he fought Parkinson's and heart disease.

He was born in Minneapolis, MN, to Roy and Ethel (Lindstrom) Gustafson. His brother Donald predeceased him. Alan attended local schools and Edison High School where he played basketball and football and excelled academically. He fondly remembers fishing with his dad in both summer and winter on the lake where they had a small cabin. His best buddy Bill Chorske (HBS'65) and he went on to attend the University of MN where Alan was president of his fraternity Delta Tau Delta. He graduated with a BS in Mechanical Engineering, having completed the work/study program with Honeywell. In his first assignment with the Honeywell Aeronautical Division he moved to Japan working on US Air Force bases as a civilian responsible for training pilots on newly developed systems. There he enjoyed many of the perks held for officers. Later assignments brought him to bases in Okinawa, the Philippines, England and finally New York City, where he decided to pursue a new direction. He applied to and was accepted at Harvard Business School, class of 1966.

Between years at HBS he married Iris (Timi) Nash. They moved back to NYC after graduation where he started his career in finance at Laird and Co. and then Oppenheimer Capital where he headed up the research team. In 1979, he moved, now with a young family, to California to join Robertson, Colman, Siebel & Wiesel. He later worked with Siebel Capital Management as well as on several private ventures. Alan adored his children and was ever present in their lives. He happily retells stories of RV road trips to national parks, skiing in Park City and Lake Tahoe, family travel throughout the world and attending their multitude of sporting events. He continued to be present in their lives as they married and he happily became "Papa" to his grandchildren.

Retirement took him to Napa, CA, and the Silverado community where he was an avid golfer and enjoyed the exploration of the wine culture. Following his divorce he met and married Elizabeth (Betsy) Gildersleeve Flavin, whose career was on the marketing side of investment management. They had a celebratory wedding at The Grove at Silverado Resort and Country Club in July 2005. Together they played lots of golf, traveled extensively and lived part time in Panama. He sat on the boards of Cybermill, a charity to enhance technology learning for children, and the Salvation Army Chef Training program in Napa. In 2019 they relocated to Solana Beach and then Carlsbad in Southern California.

Alan was surrounded by family when he passed. He leaves his son, Mark and Angela of Meridian, ID and their family Kate, Matthew and Baylee; and daughter Julie and Pete Eisenrich and Erik and Kristin of Parker, CO. His wife of 20 years, Betsy; her daughters Leslie McCarthy of Los Gatos, CA, and Elizabeth (Bitsy) and Richard (Duke); and Meredith Flavin and Alan Frank of Carlsbad and their daughter Helena. He was always grateful for the kind help he received from his many caregivers and especially Meredith.

Donations to The Michael J Fox Foundation or your favorite charity are kindly appreciated.