Throughout the past 65 years, John dedicated his engineering and entrepreneurial expertise to the Gusmer businesses. After graduating from MIT, serving in the US Army and working at IBM, John joined our business in 1957. He and his family relocated from the east coast to Gusmer’s Waupaca WI operation, known at the time as Filter Materials. John ran the Waupaca WI operation until his retirement in 1999. John also helped launch and oversee Gusmer’s Fresno CA operation. After serving as a member of the Board of Directors, John continued as an Advisor to the company until his death.
John also was a champion of many civic causes. He served 3 terms on the Waupaca School Board (1970-1979) and was instrumental in getting a referendum passed to build a new high school. He helped plan and build an indoor hockey rink for Waupaca in 1989. John obtained his pilot’s license and volunteered on the Waupaca Airport board for many years, bringing facility upgrades and a new terminal. He was a charter member of the Waupaca Rotary Club in 1993. As Rotary Director of International Affairs he developed a sister city relationship with Nio, Japan, and was active in WICEC, the International Exchange Committee. John was awarded the Waupaca Area Chamber of Commerce’s “Man of the Year” in 1999.
The Gusmer family and colleagues are forever grateful for the contributions that John made to our company, and the positive impact that he made on the lives of everyone surrounding him. John will be missed greatly.