Herbert Arnold Gustafson

Salisbury — Herbert Arnold Gustafson, 90, a longtime Lakeville resident, died Nov. 7, 2009, at Noble Horizons. He was the husband of Alice (Lukes) Gustafson.

Born on Nov. 23, 1918, in Richmond Hill, N.Y., Mr. Gustafson graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Harvard Business School and New York University. After working for the Ford Motor Co., he was vice president for finance for the Africa-Near East Division of the Singer Sewing Machine Co. and he and his family lived for two years in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was also vice president of finance for IMC Magnetics.

Mr. Gustafson volunteered for the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, serving for six years in the finance department and retiring as a major. He married Alice Lukes of Salisbury on his return.

When the family lived in Scarsdale, N.Y., he was a deacon and trustee of the Scarsdale Congregational Church. After moving to Lakeville he held the same positions in the Salisbury Congregational Church.

He was keenly interested in local affairs and was the treasurer of Music Mountain for many years. As a member of the Salisbury Rotary Club, he was awarded the club’s highest honor as a Paul Harris Fellow. He also sang in the HousaTonics Barbershop Chorus. He took pride in installing Lifeline equipment for patients at Sharon Hospital.

He and his wife loved to travel and spent many winters visiting friends in London. They also participated in a month-long voyage around South America that took them south of Cape Horn.

In addition to his wife of more than 61 years, Mr. Gustafson is survived by a son, Gordon and his wife, Christine Gevert; a daughter, Elizabeth Dohan and her husband, Andy; and four grandchildren, Kimberly, Richard, Elizabeth and David.

A memorial service will be held Friday, Nov. 20, at 11 a.m. at the Salisbury Congregational Church.

The Kenny Funeral Home in Sharon is in charge of arrangements. Contributions in Mr. Gustafson’s memory may be made to Music Mountain, Falls Village, CT 06031.