Benjamin Jon Gustafson, 43, passed away on December 25, 2022, at his home, surrounded by his wife and parents. Ben is survived by his wife, Jessica; his daughters Saida, Camille, and Greta; his parents, Jim and Vicki Gustafson; and his sister Jill (John) Nelson
Born in Denver, Colorado, the family moved to Minneapolis, MN where Ben grew up. He received his high school diploma from Minnehaha Academy, Minneapolis and his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Valparaiso University, Indiana. He earned a Masters degree in Urban Ministry from Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Ben began his engineering career with Toll Brothers and joined Hunt EAS civil engineering department in 2009. He became a Hunt Associate in 2012 and a Principal in 2015. He was the Director of the Hunt EAS Rochester Office. Ben took pride in applying his personal values to his work at Hunt. He was especially pleased to work on projects that improved the life of others such as libraries, healthcare, and schools.
He was a board member of the Maplewood Neighborhood Association and a member of LOVE 146 ROC City Task Force, an organization that fights human trafficking in the Rochester, NY area. Ben was a man of deep convictions and integrity. He was committed to improving the lives of all people, regardless of culture, sex, language or color in his community and through working with the Rochester School system. Driven by his desire to live his faith, he would fight for equity and compassion in boardrooms and on the streets. Ben served as a missionary in Mexico and Trinidad and as missionary engineer in Haiti.
Ben loved the outdoors from the time he was a child. He enjoyed camping, hiking, canoeing in the Boundary Waters Wilderness and backpacking the Appalachian Trail. From touring Italy with his wife to family vacations at the Outer Banks of North Carolina, he would relish the time exploring the outdoors and new places with his family.
Ben was a devoted family man. His love for family radiated in everything he did. He was wholeheartedly devoted to his wife, Jessica, and together they pursued their dreams, developed and supported each others’ individual passions, and built a family on the foundation of their love for one another and their love for Jesus Christ.
A Memorial Service for Ben will be held at at 10 AM on January 14, 2023 with reception to follow at Grace Road Church, 440 East Ave, Rochester, NY. Memorials can be directed to Roswell Park Cancer Center . To contribute to the search for a cure to kidney cancer, please designate “Cancer Research” – kidney cancer with rhabdoid features/Dr. Saby George