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1. 
   willowwoman said: On October 3, 2012 at 3:44 PM

   I am saddened to hear of Mr. Gustafson’s death, but I know the incredible legacy of critical thinking, reading, and writing skills he instilled in hundreds of students over the years are a testament to his teaching career.

   As I reflect on my Hudson High School days,(1970-1972,) my most vivid memories include Gus’s class and the way he used literature classics and writing assignments to help students attempt to understand the tumultuous time period we were experiencing. From the Vietnam War, college campus protests and rioting, Black Panthers, Apollo 13, etc, Gus allowed students to discuss these topics and he was always able to make analogies and parallels to whatever literary classic we were reading at that time. That is the gift that an inspired teacher brings to the class and his students.

   I have a particular memory of the fall of 1970, when music legends Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin died within a month of each other. Gus, who then would’ve been about the same age as those icons, helped our class attempt to make some sense of their deaths, again through the prism of literature.

   I have many more recollections: working on the School newspaper, being in the senior class play that Gus directed, hanging out in the bookstore that he ran during his lunch break, and many more wonderful memories.

   I’m sure Gus would’ve had an apt final quote from his extensive literary repertroire to finish this letter, but I just want to say thank you to him for his dedication to students, and may he rest in peace.

   Sincerely,
   Bridgette (Kinney) Preston – Class of 1972

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• 
  maggie hall said: On October 4, 2012 at 1:51 PM

  Janice Joplin died 42 years ago today. I will listen to her CD tonight or possibly dig out her “ALBUM”
  and crone along with my fav-”Take another little piece of my heart”
  Oh, the 70′s were epic!

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