Bernard Gustafson

Bernard G. Gustafson, Beloved son of Ben and Ruth Gustafson of Grand Forks, ND, passed away Tuesday, September 16, 2014 in Colorado Springs, CO. A retired Air Force Lt. Colonel of 28 years, Ben / Gus / Corky’s military career began with a ROTC commitment in his undergraduate years at University of North Dakota. He was a pilot in his early days with the Air Force and also spent time as an air traffic controller at Denver’s Stapleton airport, with the Army Corps of Engineers in California and with the U.S. postal service as a mail carrier. He was scheduled to go to work for NASA in Houston when he was recalled during the Bay of Pigs invasion and the rest is history. Gus was known for his big smile, affable personality and never ending love for a good conversation, hockey game or car show! He will be forever loved and missed by those who knew him. Gus is survived by his two daughters – Gail & Erika, the girl’s mother Kay, his sister Lorna, his partner June and many grandkids, great grandkids, nieces and nephews. A Visitation will be held on Sunday, September 21st at 11:00 AM followed by A Memorial Service to celebrate Gus’s life at 12:00 PM at Swan Law Funeral Directors at 501 N. Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 with a reception immediately following. Gus will be interred with full military honors at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colorado on Friday, September 26, 2014 at 12:15 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ben & Ruth Gustafson Continuing Education Endowment @ the UND Foundation, 3501 University Avenue, Stop 8157, Grand Forks, ND 58202-8157.