Richard Karl Gustafson

February 14, 1937 -November 5, 2026 Richard Karl Gustafson of Central Point, Oregon, passed away on November 5, 2026. Born in 1937 to Phillip and Eleanor Gustafson, he grew up in Gold Hill and met Phyllis Jean Taylor while attending Crater High School. They married in 1958. Richard graduated from Southern Oregon College and completed his master’s work at Seattle University. He then taught chemistry and math at Crater High School until retirement and spent many summers driving trucks and hiking and camping with his family. Richard was passionate about endurance sports. He ran marathons, was active in the Southern Oregon Sizzler running club, and summited Mount Shasta several times. He competed in long distance bicycling events and later circuited the U.S. on his Goldwing motorcycle.

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