Robert Turner Gustafson

Bob was born to Gilbert T. and Elizabeth Gustafson on January 16, 1936 in St. Paul, MN. His father died in 1941, when Bob was five and his sister, Mary Linn, was two years old. On June 18, 1949, Elizabeth Gustafson married Walter Blakeslee and moved to the Blakeslee farm near Mystery Cave in rural Spring Valley, MN. With this marriage, Bob and his sister, Mary Linn gained a brother, Samuel and a sister, Mary Ann.

Bob attended Wykoff High School, and graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School. In 1960 he entered the U.S. Navy and attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. During his extensive Naval career, he served as a legal officer in various capacities in Oakland and San Francisco, CA; Oak Harbor, WA; Vietnam; Hawaii; and San Diego, CA. Following his service in Vietnam, he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star with Combat “V”. Bob was transferred to the Navy Legal Service Office in San Diego in 1974, and has resided in the San Diego area since then.

After retiring from the Navy, Bob practiced law in Chula Vista, CA, and later from his home in National City, CA. He had 54 years of experience as an attorney at law. In his role as public defender, Bob was a strong advocate for the poor and under-privileged. Bob was a gentle soul, generous, good natured, and known for his sense of humor and quick wit. He was lifelong Democrat, who was passionate about conserving natural resources, civil rights, and social concerns. Bob was Past Master of South West Lodge 283 Free and Accepted Masons of CA, National City. He was active in his church home at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in National City.

Bob loved animals, sometimes to a fault, as his friends and neighbors, who helped him find homes for many puppies and kittens can attest. His current pet family consisted of two dogs, who, thanks to a dear friend and neighbor, now have a new, loving home.

Bob was preceded in death by his father, Gilbert T. Gustafson; mother, Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Blakeslee; step-father, Walter Blakeslee; sister, Mary Linn Posey; and nephew, Wesley Blakeslee.

He is survived by his brother, Samuel (Gloria) Blakeslee, Spring Valley, MN; sister, Mary Ann Blakeslee, Chatfield, MN: nieces: Linn (Dwayne) Posey-Maddox, Sun Prairie, WI; and Stacey Marie Posey, Montrose, CO; nephews: Michael (Janae) Blakeslee, Cannon Falls, MN: Daniel (Terese) Blakeslee, Greenville, WI. He is also survived by numerous cousins, grandnieces/nephews, friends, and neighbors. Bob will be missed by all whose hearts were touched by him.

Cremation will be handled by Glen Abbey. A Military inurnment will be at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, CA.