Arthur Gustafson

Arthur Dale Gustafson, beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2025, in Middletown, RI. Arthur was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Frances Naomi Whisenhunt. He is survived by his daughter, Denys Eftekhar (Portsmouth, RI) and his son, Darel Gustafson (Shelton, CT), their spouses, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Known as Dale by his family and friends, he lived a full and accomplished life of nearly 98 years. He was born September 15, 1927, in Riverside, California, to Arthur E. Gustafson and Florence O. Olson, and grew up in Lake Elsinore, CA. Upon high school graduation, with WWII ongoing, Dale enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Honorably discharged in 1946, Dale first attended Riverside College under the GI Bill and then transferred to Pomona College, where he graduated cum laude in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then pursued his dream of becoming an automobile designer by attending the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles with a scholarship from General Motors. He received a Bachelor of Professional Arts degree with Distinction in 1952. During his college years, Dale met and fell in love with his life-long soulmate, Frances Whisenhunt. They were married in 1950 in Riverside, CA.

After graduating from the Art Center, Dale accepted a position as a stylist and illustrator with GM's Buick Design Department in Detroit, Michigan. The design functions of GM were headed by legendary design executive Harvey Earl. In 1954, he accepted a position to work with another industry legend, Arthur Fitzpatrick. Dale and Fran moved to Stamford, Connecticut, and lived there for 52 years. Dale worked from his home art studio and was considered the "neighborhood Dad." During this period, Dale created over 1,000 illustrations that were used extensively for GM advertising and as the exclusive advertising media for the Pontiac Division. Dale's illustrations appeared in many major publications, including Life Magazine.

In the mid-1970s, Dale became an independent illustrator, working with Mendola Artists. His work was published regularly in National Geographic, Popular Mechanics, and Time Magazine. In 1970, the Los Angeles Museum of Science and Industry awarded him with the Recognition of Achievement, and in 1999, the Art Center College of Design presented him with a Certificate of Accomplishment. In 2016, his accomplishments in the automobile illustration industry were recognized in a special exhibition by the Redwood Library and Athenaeum in Newport, RI. He was also featured in the book, Masters of Automobile Advertising, published in 2021.

Dale and Fran moved to RI in 2007 to live near their daughter. Dale enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends and family, and was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He never failed to lend a hand and to be helpful to all. He enjoyed many hobbies including tennis, astronomy, antique cars and nature. A gentle, kind and humorous man, Dale made a profound and positive impact on many lives and will be deeply missed.

At his request, funeral services and burial will be private