In Memoriam (Martin Gustafson)
Martin O. Gustafson, DDS, MS, assistant professor of clinical surgery at the Feinberg School of Medicine and retired oral and maxillofacial surgeon, died unexpectedly August 31 at Delnor Community Hospital in Geneva, Illinois. He was 67.
Born in Chicago, he was raised in Sycamore, Illinois and received his DDS degree from Northwestern University Dental School in 1964. Dr. Gustafson then completed an MS degree and residency training at the dental school and the University of Illinois Medical Center. Afterward he practiced oral and maxillofacial surgery in Geneva and was an attending staff member at Delnor Community Hospital, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and Jessie Brown VA Medical Center. Following the dental school closing in 2001, he joined Feinberg School faculty, retiring in 2006.
In 1974 Dr. Gustafson developed the dentistry department at Community Hospital (which became Delnor Community Hospital) and served in a leadership capacity until 1985. Described as a caring, ethical professional with remarkable surgical capabilities, he was also well known as an expert in temporomandibular joint syndrome. He was a member of the Chicago Dental Society, American Dental Association, and many additional specialty societies related to oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Dr. Gustafson enjoyed hunting, sailing, and fishing. Survivors include his siblings Sandra Hill, Jack Gustafson, Jill Dahlgren, and Vivian Lee. Other survivors include 12 nieces and nephews and 12 great-nieces and great-nephews.