Gustave G. Wetterhahn

Gustave G. Wetterhahn, 92, of Winter Haven, FL, retired Executive Vice President and General Manager at American Home Products (now Pfizer) of Rouses Point, NY died peacefully Wednesday, December 11, 2013 in Camillus at the home of his daughter, Charlotte.

Mr. Wetterhan was born in Clayton, New York on June 27, 1921. He graduated from the local high school at 15. He received a BS degree from St. Lawrence University at 19. Upon graduation he began working as a chemist at then Ayerst, McKenna and Harrison in Rouses Point. Gus retired in 1986 spending his winter months in Winter Haven, Florida. He and his wife Betty traveled extensively to learn about the world we live in.

As head of the Rouses Point plant he supervised one of the most important industries in the area at the time. Ayerst Laboratories manufactured and packaged many types of pharmaceuticals. Mr Wetterhahn assisted in the startup of a manufacturing and packaging plant in Puerto Rico.

A highly respected business man, Mr. Wetterhahn served on the board of SUNY Plattsburgh, and Clinton Community College. He was a member of St Patrick’s Church and a Trustee that served on the Parish Council. He was a member of the Rouses Point Knights of Columbus serving as Financial Secretary, Grand Knight and District Deputy. He was also an active member of the Kiwanis and Elks. He was a golfer and member of North Country Golf Club. Gus loved gardening as a way to relax and also have fresh produce a throw back to his days of growing up on the farm. Gus never gave up a chance to go fishing on Lake Champlain to bring home a prized black bass or perch for dinner. He was a skier and instructor of his children’s ski club and a bowler.

Gus was a caring and loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle. He will be dearly missed by all whose lives he touched.

Gus is predeceased by his wife of 71 years, Betty, his daughter, Karen Wetterhahn Webb, who was a Professor of Chemistry at Dartmouth College died while working in her research lab with dimethyl mercury, his brother and sister-in-law, Gerald and Norma.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Charlotte and Marvin Archabald, who is a retired high school Syracuse Science teacher that spearheaded the Ants in Space program aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, son-in-law, Leon H. Webb, 4 grandchildren, Lisa Greenan, Karen Archabald, and Leon A Webb and Charlotte Webb, 7 great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Mass and interment will be in Clayton, NY at a later time.

BAGOZZI TWINS FUNERAL HOME, Solvay, NY, has care of arrangements.

Donations may be made in his memory to Hospice of CNY, 990 Seventh North St, Liverpool, NY 13088 or www.hospicecny.org.

Please offer online condolences at www.bagozzitwins.com.