May 14, 1936 – February 6, 2025
Robert N. Gustason Hinsdale, NY Robert N. Gustason, 88, of the Hinsdale IRA, passed away peacefully Thursday (February 6, 2025) at the Olean General Hospital, after living a long and fulfilling life.
Born May 14, 1936 in Olean, he was the son of E. Richard and Gwendolyn Bushley Gustason. Soon after finishing his schooling at Olean High School, Robert worked with his father as a carpet installer. After his father’s death, he lived with his mother for many more years. In 1992 he began residing with his brother and sister-in-law, Bruce and Donna Gustason on Happy Hollow Rd.
For nearly 25 years of living together, he brought them many laughs, good memories, and shared his loving personality, his sense of humor, as well as being helpful with lawn mowing and other useful duties that he happily took on. He loved being part of his brother’s family, and Bruce’s children affectionately called him Uncle Robert.
Beginning in 1992 he worked for SubCon Industries where he enjoyed being productive and meeting many new friends. He moved into Intandem’s care and first lived in their Osgood IRA, retired from SubCon, and later moved to Intandem’s Hinsdale IRA. He began attending the Linwood Center where he played cards and enjoyed sharing his snacks. Robert was independent and active. He played bingo regularly around the Olean area, often rode his bike around town, was intrigued with tinkering with things, especially electronics, and knew how to collect scrap and recycle the useful items by turning them into cash. He also loved dogs. When his dad was living, they belonged to the Eagle’s Club where he was once a pinsetter for the club’s bowling alley.
He is survived by a brother, Bruce (Donna) Gustason of Olean; 6 nephews, and 4 nieces, including Bruce’s children, Eric, Ryan, and Erin; and many great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by his Intandem “family,” who provided his loving and supportive care for many years. He was predeceased by 1 brother, Edmund “Dick” Gustason, and 1 sister, Nancy Gustason.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday (February 12, 2025) from 10am to noon at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd., Olean. Services will begin at noon, with Fr. John O’Connor, OFM, to officiate. Burial will be in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Olean.
Memorials may be made to Intandem, 1439 Buffalo St., Olean, NY 14760, or to the Cattaraugus County SPCA, 1644 Olean-Hinsdale Rd., Olean, NY 14760.
