Richard E. Gustavson

Ware - Richard E. "Dick" Gustavson, 82, of Ware, Massachusetts died at home on Saturday, December 16, 2023.



He leaves his granddaughters, Madeleine and Samantha Rose; his son in-law, Douglas Rose; his nephew, Robert J. Gustavson, Jr.; and his niece, Kristen Gustavson. He was predeceased by his former wife, Ann (Tompkins) Gustavson; his son, Richard T. Gustavson; his daughter, Jennifer Rose; and his brother, Robert J. Gustavson.



Dick was born and raised in Pontiac, Michigan, son of Gunnar A. and Marion (Somogyi) Gustavson. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and a master's degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. He initially performed mechanical and industrial engineering work on automobiles, office equipment, and medical laboratory equipment before becoming an engineering consultant. He worked for Draper Laboratories in Cambridge, Massachusetts for many years while living in Wellesley.



Dick contributed to numerous papers for peer-reviewed journals and authored or co-authored technical articles for books and trade magazines. After publishing the textbook Production Systems Engineering: Cost and Performance Optimization in 2010, he turned his energies to his own start-up company, Systems Synthesis, Inc., focused on improvements in manufacturing efficiency.



Dick was a loving father, grandfather, and uncle, driving long distances to see his granddaughters compete in rowing events and to watch his great-nephews play baseball. His non-work activities included coaching youth baseball and soccer, assembling model cars, constructing scenery for performances of non-profit organizations, and serving as a trustee of the Vincent Memorial Hospital Foundation at Mass General.



A private ceremony was held at Mount Auburn Ceremony in March 2024. To honor his memory, memorial donations may be made to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA.