John H. Gusmer

John Henry Gusmer, left this earth on August 6th 2022, at the age of 89. John was a dear husband, a beloved father, a caring grandfather and even a great-grandfather. He was a businessman, an engineer, a philanthropist, a leader, a volunteer, and a friend to many. John was born in Plainfield, NJ, on September 7, 1932 to Hildegarde and Henry Gusmer. He graduated from MIT, in Cambridge, MA, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1954. He served in the U.S. Army, Fort Dix, NJ, and the Frankford Arsenal, Philadelphia, PA, from 1955 – 1957. While in school, John met a political science major, Carolyn Keene, and the two were wed on October 6, 1956. John and Carolyn enjoyed 58 years of marriage until she passed away on March 10, 2014. Together they had three children, Theodore (Ted), Dorothy (Dotty) and Christopher (Chris). After some time working for IBM, John took a leap of faith when he and Carolyn moved to Waupaca, WI to enter the family business. He made Waupaca his home for the remainder of his life. He ran Filter Materials, a division of Gusmer Enterprises, from 1958 until his retirement in 1999. He stayed active in the company on the Board of Directors and Advisors until his death. John was not one to shy away from involvement in the Waupaca community. 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. John was also a man with many hobbies. In addition to flying as a private pilot, he enjoyed theater organs, cross country skiing, curling, photography, nature, and traveling with his family both domestically and internationally. He loved music and sang with the Stevens Point Barbershop Chorus and St. Mary Magdalene Church choir. He kept his mind active as an avid bridge player. John’s parents, Hildegarde and Henry Gusmer, preceded him in death, as did his wife Carolyn and his brother, Rev. Msgr. Charles Gusmer. John is survived by his best friend and partner, Susan Martin, children Ted (Carrie) Gusmer, Dotty (Joe) Kellagher, and Chris (Pamela) Gusmer, ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Also surviving are his brother, William E. Gusmer, and many nieces and nephews. John’s funeral will be at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, Waupaca, at 11:00 AM on Monday, August 22, 2022. A visitation will be held on Sunday evening, August 21st, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at the Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca and again on Monday morning from 9:30 – 11:00 AM at the church. There will be a graveside burial at Lakeside Memorial Park following his funeral on Monday with a celebration of John’s life at Simpson’s Restaurant in Waupaca, WI, afterwards. In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated with checks made to the Estate of John H. Gusmer which will be given in John’s memory to his favorite charities. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.

John H. Gusmer

September 7, 1932 - August 6, 2022