Richard H. Gaustad

Richard "Rick" Harley Gaustad, 72 of Red Wing, died unexpectedly on Sunday, June 17, 2018, at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis. He was born December 27, 1945, in Cokato, to Harley and Vernette (Johnson) Gaustad and graduated from Cokato High School in 1964. He went on to attend Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and enlisted in the US Army. He served in the 4th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War in Pleiku from 1967-68 and was moved to military command headquarters in Germany, until he was honorably discharged. He returned to Concordia College, where he met his wife, Susan in an ancient history class. They were married on Dec. 26, 1973 in Madison, Minnesota. They lived in Forest Lake where they both taught for two years. He was hired in 1975 by the Red Wing Public School District, where he taught US History and AP Psychology and was a favorite teacher of many students. Throughout his teaching, he was a mentor first-connecting with the students and building relationships, and a teacher second. He also coached boys and girls track and field for many years, something he always enjoyed. In 2004 he retired from teaching, but not from his love of people and making connections. He loved Red Wing and could always find someone to talk to while he was out in the community.

Rick was a man of humor, often making jokes. In seriousness, he was an advocate for other veterans that needed help from war and service connected consequences. He was an avid follower of politics and current affairs. He was a huge MN Gophers fan and was a season ticket holder of men's basketball. He was a past member of the Dawn Breakers Kiwanis and St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Most of all he enjoyed a good bowl of vanilla ice cream, and it was even better if he could enjoy it with his family, especially his daughters and grandchildren.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, Susan of Red Wing; his beloved children, Elisabeth (Bruce) Blazing of Byron and Kirsten (Tom) Davis of Prescott, AZ; grandchildren, Mika, Caden, Luke, Mara and Brynn; 2 sisters, Anna Maria Motzko and Karn Rounds both of Sun Lakes, AZ; brother-in-law, Jim Motzko of Sun Lakes, Arizona; nieces and nephews, Sarah Seldon, Nathan Motzko, Taylee Donohue, Nick Rounds, Kelsey Putman Hughes, Tristan Putman and Sara Holloway.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Matthew Rounds.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, June 23, 2018 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with military honors to follow the service. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday, June 22, 2018 at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and for one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery at a later date. Memorials preferred to Wounded Warrior Project or Red Wing Public Schools Foundation. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com

---

Visitation

JUN 22. 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)

Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel
602 Plum Street P.O. Box 111
Red Wing, MN, 55066

Visitation

JUN 23. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CDT)

St. Paul's Lutheran Church-Red Wing
320 West Ave
Red Wing, MN, 55066

Memorial Service

JUN 23. 11:00 AM (CDT)

St Paul's Lutheran Church
320 West Ave
Red Wing, MN, 55066