Carl Eugene "Gus" Gustafson, 79, of Pullman, died Feb. 13, 2016, after a short battle with a particularly aggressive form of cancer.
Carl was born on May 13, 1936, in McPherson, Kan. He married Frances Charlene Gustafson in 1957 and subsequently relocated to Pullman in 1960 to attend graduate studies in zoology at Washington State University. Upon graduation, Carl joined the faculty as an assistant professor and continued to serve the community in this capacity for 38 years until his retirement in 1998. He loved teaching young people and helping them to develop a greater appreciation for human prehistory. During his tenure, he performed field research at a number of seminal archaeological excavations in the Pacific Northwest, including the Marmes Rock Shelter, Ozette and the Manis Mastodon Site. Through his work, Carl developed trusting relations with the Native American community, who appreciated his respectful approach. However, within archaeology's academic circle, Carl's findings challenged a number of established beliefs about human prehistory, which, at times, left him ostracized. Finally, in 2011, advanced imaging analysis of a foreign bone embedded in a rib of the Manis Mastodon provided definitive proof of man's involvement in shaping and wielding the projectile to hunt prehistoric elephants in the shadow of receding glaciers over 13,000 years ago - long before the prevailing Clovis theory. His life's work was vindicated. Outside of work, Carl was an avid sportsman. He turned his love of hunting and fishing into a small post-retirement business performing gunsmithing and rod building for other enthusiasts.
Carl is survived by his wife, Charlene; their two children, Shandra Reyna and Brad Gustafson; one sister, Janis; and his three grandchildren, Ali, Taryn and Mallory.
Carl was a private person and did not wish for a public service. Kimball Funeral Home of Pullman is caring for the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to one of the following charities: Sla-Hal Heritage Association c/o Marvin Kempf (Chief of the Snoqualmie Tribe), PO Box 2, Rockport, WA 98283; The Archaeological Conservancy, https://donate.archaeologicalconservancy.org/; Richard and Phyllis Daugherty Scholarship for Graduate Excellence in Anthropology at WSU http://goo.gl/ame97e; McPherson College at http://goo.gl/a5h6eF.
Online condolences may be sent to www.kimballfh.com.
