Stuart Reid Gustafson

Obituary

Stuart Reid Gustafson, 87, passed away after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease, surrounded by friends and family on February 6, 2024.Reid, as he preferred to be called, was born on July 15, 1936 to Earl and Florece Gustafson in San Diego, CA. The family located in Point Loma where Reid, the third of six children developed his life-long love of sailing and fishing. After graduating from the Army-Navy Academy in Carlsbad, CA, Reid served three years in the US Army, and graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Agri-Business.Following his graduation, Reid moved to Orange County. Professionally, he found the building industry fit both his talents and his interests. Personally, he discovered his lifelong interest in hunting and golf.Reid moved with his family to San Jose in 1981 where he served as the President of Shea Homes’ Northern California Division until his retirement In 2000. During his tenure Reid led development of Shea communities throughout the region. He led the development of the Silver Creek Valley Country Club and community, the most prominent of his many professional achievements. Those achievements were recognized by his business colleagues. Reid served as president of the Builders Association and recognized as Builder of the Year by the Home Builders of America. Reid was also deeply committed to the City of San Jose, having served as Chairman of Symphony San Jose, and as a long-standing fixture on the board of the YMCA of Silicon Valley among many others.Upon his retirement, Reid was able to spend more time doing the activities he loved: hunting in CA, Canada and Alaska, fishing in CA, Mexico and Canada, and golf everywhere! He loved to travel the world with his wife, from Australia to Africa, South America to Europe, Asia to North America. Locally, Reid had a special interest in duck hunting, especially at his Duck club in Los Banos where he could be found on virtually every weekend during the hunting season.Reid is survived by his wife of 27 years, Sharon Scott Gustafson, and their blended family: daughter Julia Scott Day, sons Damon Gustafson and family (Lori, Nathan, Myles and Lukas), Fletcher Gustafson and family (Sarah, Henry and Wyatt) Jon Scott and family (Kelly Nolen, Erin, Claire and Colleen), and Jeff Scott and family (Marico Sayoc, Isabella and Quincy).Reid was loved by many, and respected by all. He easily connected with all types of people, and rarely if ever had a cross word for anyone. He enjoyed a good wine and a great conversation; a good meal and a great friendship. Many have said “we shall never see his like again”. A celebration of Reid’s extraordinary life will be at a date TBD in late spring. Gifts in his memory are welcome to the Grassland Fund (https:///gwdwater.org/donate/), or Symphony San Jose.org