William Edward Gusmer

Obituary for William "Bill" Edward Gusmer
It is with deep sorrow, but celebration for a life well-lived, that the Gusmer family announces the
passing of our beloved patriarch, William "Bill" Edward Gusmer. Bill passed peacefully on
February 28, 2025 at age 90. Affectionately known as "Bill" to his friends, "Dad" to his five
children, and "Granddaddy" to his nine grandchildren, he lived a life rich in faith, humility, and
generosity.
Bill was born in Orange, New Jersey on May 20th, 1934 to Henry Svend Gusmer and
Hildegarde Wallich Gusmer. He grew up in a house of three boys; Bill was the middle brother of
John and Charlie, both of whom predeceased Bill. Bill attended Oak Knoll School in Summit as
well as Delbarton School, and he ultimately graduated from The Pingry School in 1952. One of
Bill's proudest moments of adolescence was winning the Ideal Delbarton Boy Award in 8th
grade. He was an accomplished student-athlete, an active member of student councils and the
glee club, and an avid piano player thanks to lessons with his mother.
Bill continued his education at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania,
graduating with his Bachelor of Science in Economics in 1956. Bill spoke of his time at Wharton
with both pride and purpose. He was proud of his record and of making the Dean's List, and he
said, "If I had to do it over, I don't think I could do it any better." He felt inspired to ensure that his
work ethic justified his parents' investment.
He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army Transportation Corps upon
graduation from Wharton. He was recognized as a Distinguished Military Student and he
entered the reserves in 1962. His next milestone with the military occurred during an unusual
but memorable trip to a brewing convention in the Dominican Republic with his best friend, Joe
Schneider. Their trip overlapped with the country's domestic uprising in 1965, and Bill and Joe
had to be evacuated by US Marines.
Bill spent the summer before his junior year in the Vick Chemical Company Summer Program,
an opportunity that gave him early insight into business and sales. He spent the summer of
1954 selling Vick products across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. After working as an industrial
engineer for Colgate Palmolive, Bill joined his family's business.
In his extensive tenure with Gusmer Enterprises, Inc., Bill served as plant manager and
treasurer before being appointed president of the company at age 27. Bill worked for Gusmer
for over 50 years, and alongside his brother John, they worked to expand the business and
situate Gusmer Enterprises, Inc. as a leading manufacturer and distributor of fermentation and
filtration products. Bill took great pride in developing the company's reputation as "honest, fair,
and ethical," a legacy that the family and the company uphold today.
Bill also volunteered in several capacities, always looking for ways to give back to his
community. He founded an annual fundraiser for cystic fibrosis and served as an advisor for the
founding of the New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra. He served as a trustee of the Paper
Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey for nine years and was the recipient of the 2001 Award
of Excellence; he took great pleasure in attending countless productions at the Paper Mill.
Through Rotary International, he held various local leadership positions and was ultimately
named a Paul Harris Fellow.
Family was of the utmost importance to Bill, and he was exceptionally proud of the one he built.
On February 1, 1958, Bill married Hope Baxter, and together they had five children: Marla, Tom,
Peter, Dana, and Dave. Bill and Hope raised their family in Maplewood and Short Hills, New
Jersey, and they spent later years between Far Hills and their beloved Stone Harbor.
Bill and Hope were active parishioners at St. Rose of Lima Church in Short Hills, where they
taught Sunday school and Pre-Cana classes. Bill enjoyed Saturdays cheering on his children at
soccer and softball games, and a good Sunday for Bill included a football tailgate with friends.
Bill and Hope enjoyed entertaining, often extending a seat at their dinner table to anyone who
might have otherwise been alone. When he had a chance to golf, he did so at Canoe Brook
Country Club, though he spoke much more highly of the company than of his golf game. And,
never one to take himself too seriously, Bill would gladly dress up as Santa for his children,
grandchildren, and neighbors. "His [blue] eyes–how they twinkled!"
For years, Bill and Hope rented a house in Avalon, New Jersey, and their children worked
various jobs in town or with the beach patrol. In 1989, Bill and Hope bought a home in
neighboring Stone Harbor that the family cherishes to this day. Bill was a regular at the local
bakeries (plural!), Catholic churches, and the gazebos overlooking the ocean. His grandchildren
remember Granddaddy keeping a close eye on them in the water or playing with them on the
beach, and several of them spent their own summers working in town or following in the beach
patrol tradition.
In 2011, Bill and Hope moved to Windsor, California, where they regularly attended Saturday
mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe. While he remained steadfast in his devotion to the New York
Giants, watching games at "Meadowlands West," he also adopted a local love of the Golden
State Warriors. Bill delighted in the California sunshine and the gift of quality time with family
and friends.
Wherever he was, Bill could be counted on to cherish life's simple treasures: a morning walk or
bike ride, an afternoon playing piano or bridge, a reliable charcoal grill, an old fashioned or a
Sierra Nevada on draft, and of course, a New York Giants win. He gave generously, listened
astutely, and put others at ease with his calm disposition. To Bill, it was simply "no problem."
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Hope; his five children: Marla (David) Jeffrey, Thomas (Wendy)
Gusmer, Peter (Sandra) Gusmer, Dana (Chris) Gruber, David (Barbey) Gusmer; his nine
grandchildren: Heidi (Andrew), Amy, Peter, Jonathan, Timothy, Karen (Evan), Alexandra, James,
and Greta; his two great-grandchildren: Sandra and Henry; and a number of beloved cousins.
Bill and his entire family are extremely grateful for the care and love that he received from the
community at Arbol Residences of Santa Rosa over the last several years.
Bill's life and legacy will be celebrated on Saturday, March 29th, beginning with a funeral mass
at 10AM at St. Rose of Lima in Short Hills and concluding with a luncheon at Canoe Brook
Country Club.
In lieu of flowers, the Gusmer Family is grateful for any donations sent to the
Paper Mill Playhouse or a charity of your choice in memory of William Gusmer.