Henry Gustafson was teacher and 'Renaissance man'

The Rev. Henry Gustafson of Stillwater, a scholar and professor of theology, kept his classes lively, whether reciting poetry from memory or drawing on his knowledge of New Testament theology.

Gustafson, who taught at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in New Brighton, died of complications of cancer Sept. 1 at his Stillwater home.

He was 84.

Gustafson, a Minneapolis native, held several degrees, including two master's degrees from Yale University's School of Divinity and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.

He was ordained in 1951 in what is now the Evangelical Covenant Church of America, later moving to the United Church of Christ.

He taught theology in Haddam Neck, Conn.; Chicago; Tomohon, Indonesia, and Beirut, Lebanon, before joining the faculty at United Theological.

"He had so much wisdom that he could just take off" to where his students' questions led, said Gene Jaberg of Fridley, a retired professor of communications at United Theological.

Gustafson and Jaberg traveled to Italy and Greece, producing videos about the meaning of the cross and the sacrament. Gustafson served as the talent.

He was open to ideas, and was a "Renaissance man" who had a depth of knowledge outside theology, such as in poetry and astrophysics, said Jaberg.

Ted Meads of Tonka Bay, a former United Theological seminarian, said Gustafson was thoughtful in answers to students, and could often be found in discussions with them outside of the classroom.

"He was one of those rare individuals who got you excited about academic life," said Meads. "He was very close to many of his students, and he brought the Gospels to life."

His wife, the Rev. Sheila Gustafson, a retired minister, said he was an avid teacher, continuing to conduct classes at conferences and churches during retirement.

He had retired in 1989 from United Theological, and the couple had been living in Santa Fe, N.M.

In Santa Fe, he, other theologians and scientists from Los Alamos National Laboratory held forums on religion and science.

In recent years, serious back problems made it difficult for him to stand in the classroom for long. But that couldn't keep him off his feet, said his wife.

"He got so wrapped up in his subject" and excited that he stood and ignored the pain, said his wife.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Joan Cox of St. Paul; son Mark of Minneapolis; stepdaughters, Heather Schierland of Inver Grove Heights, and Candace Shepard of Littleton, Colo.; stepson, Keith Henderson of White Bear Lake; sister, Beverly Just of Aitkin, Minn.; former wife, Joyce of St. Paul, and 10 grandchildren.