Bruce Alan Gustafson

After a brave and courageous battle with cancer, Bruce Alan Gustafson, 66, of Austin, Texas passed away surrounded by his loved ones on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 at Christopher House. Bruce was born in White Bear Lake, Minnesota on April 15, 1948 to parents, Dave and Gretchen Gustafson. Bruce married Vanessa Elizabeth Gustafson on August 4, 1984.

Bruce will be remembered for his kindness, loving heart, compassion towards others and unwavering stoicism. He was honored to serve in the United States Navy, and volunteered for service during the Vietnam War. He was stationed in Da Nang, Vietnam and participated in the Tet Offensive in the Battle of Huế in 1968.

Bruce was an avid outdoorsman and found an everlasting thrill in spending time on the water. He took every opportunity he could to spend time fishing, even while going through his second chemotherapy cycle, he still found the strength and skill to pull out several hundred pounds of fish at the Duncanby Fishing Lodge in British Columbia.

Bruce enjoyed billiards and played competitively for many years. He thoroughly enjoyed live music and developed an appreciation for blues after teaching himself to play the harmonica. He was never shy when it came to music and often would hop on stage with whatever band was playing at the time. Bruce was a creative cook and passed down his legendary family recipe “Roska Balls”.

Bruce is survived by his wife and best friend, Vanessa Gustafson of 29 years. Bruce was extremely loving and proud of his three children, Ryan Gustafson, David Gustafson and Catherine Gustafson, all of Austin. He is also survived by his brothers, Scott Gustafson and Larry Gustafson, both of Cleveland, Ohio; daughter-in-law, Shannon Gustafson of Austin; as well as many loving extended family members, grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends.

A special thank you to his caring physicians, Dr. Carsten Kampe, Dr. Ryan Tierney and Dr. William Kessler. Bruce also always appreciated the compassionate and loving nurses in the infusion room at Texas Oncology South. The family will be eternally grateful for the loving and compassionate care from the staff of Hospice Austin and also from the Christopher House. The family would like to thank Pastor Bill Knippa for his compassionate spiritual guidance and encouragement throughout this sad and difficult time. The family is so appreciative of the love and support of the owners, sales managers, and wonderful staff of the north and south Floor King Stores.

Memorial Services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at Bethany Lutheran Church, 3701 West Slaughter Lane.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Bruce to Hospice Austin, Hospice Austin’s Christopher House, Walk of Friends at Christopher House, Livestrong Austin, American Cancer Society or to the Esophageal Cancer Education Foundation.