V. Wayne Gustafson

Virgil Wayne (Gus) Gustafson passed away Thursday, December 18, 2008, of pancreatic cancer, at Hillcrest Manor in Sunnyside, WA.

Wayne was born November 9, 1937, to Norman El Nathan and Evelyn Belle (Holt) Gustafson in Warren, PA. Wayne spent his early years in Pennsylvania, and then moved with his family in 1948 to Independence, Kansas, where he subsequently graduated from high school. During high school, he worked on a farm, joined 4H and developed a fondness for cows. He attended Kansas State University, earned a B.S. in nuclear engineering, and was inducted to the honorary engineering fraternity Sigma Tau. Kansas State had the first nuclear engineering curriculum in the United States, and Wayne was one if its first graduates.

Following graduation in 1960, he moved to Washington state and worked for General Electric at Hanford, writing scientific papers about reactor safety. In September 1964, Wayne met Karen Evaune Lindburg of Prosser on a blind date. They married three months later on December 12, 1964, at the Presbyterian Church in Prosser. In 1967, Wayne revived his interest in cattle, and he talked Karen into establishing a small, purebred Charolais beef ranch southeast of Kennewick, all while continuing to generate papers and documents at Hanford. They later sold the beef operation and bought a dairy in Sunnyside, becoming full-time farmers.

In 1980, Wayne used his engineering skills to design and build a new dairy across town on Washout Road. The new facility contained many innovative features and was a model of modern dairy practices. In 1986, the Washington State Dairy Federation named Wayne, his wife, Karen, and their son, David, as Washington State Dairy Family of the Year. Wayne always employed high school students, college students, and foreign students to work on the dairy. He wanted to give young people the same opportunities that he had as a youth. Wayne developed a symbiotic research relationship with the College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science departments at Washington State University. Wayne contributed considerable resources to the college, and today, Wayne's photo hangs on the college's Wall of Fame. Wayne was a leader in many state dairy organizations, serving as President of the Washington State Dairy Herd Improvement Association, President of the Yakima Valley Dairyman's Federation, and was appointed by the Governor to the Washington State Beef Commission.

After retiring in 1996, Wayne and Karen enjoyed playing golf at home and while traveling with friends. Wayne and Karen also traveled throughout the United States doing extensive genealogical research. Everything Wayne did he did to the best of his ability and with great attention to detail. This legacy lives on in his son and granddaughters. He enjoyed the people he met throughout his life, and genuinely valued his friendships.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Karen, of Grandview; son and daughter-in-law, David and Paula, and granddaughters Helena and Erika, all of Boise, ID; and his brother, Robert A. Gustafson, of Ocala, FL.

Viewing and visitation will be held on Monday, December 22, 2008, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside, WA. Graveside service will be held on Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the East Prosser Cemetery. A celebration of life service will be held on Tuesday, December 23, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. at the Grandview Presbyterian Church under the direction of the Smith Funeral Home, Sunnyside, WA.

Those wishing to honor 'Gus's' memory may contribute to the Lower Valley Hospice. Anyone wishing to sign Gus's online memorial book or send condolences to the family maydo so at www.funeralhomesmith.com.