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Dr. Gustafson was instrumental to fulfilling the dreams of so many students of getting into medical school through his oversight of the Tufts School of Medicine MBS program. I was one of those students. Dr. Gustafson was one of the most loved professors at Tufts. He was a wonderful man who cared about other people immensely, especially his students. His impact will radiate out through the lives out countless students as well as the future and current physicians he mentored.

He really stands out as a wonderful professor at Tufts. I did not thank him in person. Wish I had. Thank you to his family and condolences.

To the family of Dr. Gustafson, Dr. Gustafson was like a father figure to the MBS Program. He would always reach out to the students to check up on us and make sure we were okay especially during challenging times. I remember when the massive storms hit Texas in 2017. Dr. G went out of his way to reach out to me and make sure that I and my family in Texas were okay. I was really touched by that. I also remember during our post exam BBQ sessions, Dr. G would sit by our table and we would talk about everything except the exam we just took. I really appreciated those moments because it reminded us to continue to celebrate life and enjoy one another's company regardless of the academic challenges we encounter. His passion for learning and life was always present when he gave lectures in front of our classroom.

Dear Mrs. Gustafson, daughters and family, I want to offer my condolences on learning of Al's recent passing. I enjoyed working with Dr. Gustafson in the early days of the veterinary school, in my various financial capacities. He was such a thoughtful person, with a good bit of the creativity we needed as we were inventing and building what is now Cummings Veterinary School. Even after the veterinary school left him to go to Grafton, it was a pleasure to see Al and discuss how things were going. I will always remember his earnest sincerity and effort to make things better. I am sorry for your family's loss. With kind regard, Joe McManus

Al was a wonderful person, a diplomat and a mentor. He always had time to stop and say 'hi and how are you doing' and, importantly, to listen even though I was, at the time, just another young resident in training. Thank you Al for being so caring.

It's sad to see such a passionate and kind hearted person such as Dr. Gustafson pass. His warmth, talent for teaching, and humor was a highlight during my first year of dental training. During one of the most difficult times of the didactic curriculum at Tufts, Dr. Gustafon was both caring and humorous to all in his lecture hall. His compassion continues to be seen in the workings of the countless individuals he's taught over the years, and I am honored to be one of them.

To the family of Dr. Gustafson, please accept my condolences for your loss. Know that Dr. Gustafson was a devoted teacher and made a difference in so many lives. He was supportive, kind and always had a great big smile. Histology was my favorite class because it was taught by a great professor. I am grateful for everything Dr. Gustafson has done on my behalf and I won't forget his kind words of encouragement.

I send my thoughts, prayers and condolences to all of Alvar's family members. His sister Celia I have known since jr. high and still my best friend. I have fond memories of Al, Evie and Erik at Thanksgiving meals, get togethers and growing up around this family. I hope the memories of his wonderful life and love for all of you help keep you strong at this difficult time. He went too soon. Please take care, Ann Linton

Dear Eric, May the thoughts and prayers of those dear to you,comfort you at this time. May God, in time, replace your sorrow with fond memories of your Dad.

Dearest Evie, Please accept my deepest sympathy to you and Erik for the loss of your beloved husband and Dad, Al. May your cherished memories comfort you during this difficult times. God will give you strength. Love, Bonnie Goodstein

Dr. Gustafson was an incredible professor. His enthusiasm and passion for teaching made histology my favorite course when I was a student in the MBS program at Tufts. More than anything, I truly felt that Dr. Gustafson cared about each and every one of us. If it were not for the MBS program, I would not have been able to go to medical school. Dr. Gustafson quite literally made that dream possible for me and so many other students. I am truly sad to hear about his passing, but so grateful that I was able to be one of his students.

Dr. Gustafson was the kindest, most well-meaning MBS professor and leader of the program, personally writing every MBS student's primary letter of recommendation every year. His histo class being one of the most difficult classes that I have ever taken, but as a medical student now, I heartily appreciate the depth and detail with which Dr. Gustafson taught his class; it makes this current class really a piece of cake. I remember meeting with Dr. Gustafson after struggling one one of my exams, where he was kind and empathetic and also checked in with me afterwards to ask whether I might need more help understanding the material. His good nature and love and support of MBS students will be dearly missed. My condolences to his family for what appears to me to be relatively sudden recent news to a good soul.

When I arrived at Tufts in 1988, Al greeted me with the kind of warmth and collegiality that was so obviously genuine I knew we would become great colleagues. 30+ years later, it's no surprise that his dedication to our students and our school served as an inspiration to me and countless others. More importantly, his friendship and counsel proved invaluable time after time. During the past few years, we often shared a cup of "Swedish gasoline"--his name for a strong cup of java--in the early morning and talked about everything from politics to wine to our beloved MBS Program. I will always cherish those times. Al was a quiet giant among our faculty, having taught >10,000 students across 4 different Schools. No one can replace him, but we will all do our best to live up to his amazing devotion to academe.

Sending prayers to our kind neighbors when we lived in Houghs Neck, Quincy.Mass. Al was such a great guy. Al always had a smile and a big hi when we saw him in his yard. Sincerely, Ann Marie and Bill Mullen and family. Middleboro,Mass.

Dear Evie and Erik, We are so sorry to learn of Al’s passing, and send you our love and deepest sympathy. We know how much love you shared as a family, and know also that your love and faith will sustain you in the days to come. We have been fortunate indeed to be part of your lives, and have so many wonderful memories of shared times. Al’s dedication to his students, enthusiasm in the lab, and delight in sharing a bottle of fine wine with friends were an inspiration to our entire family. With love and prayers,

Al was a great mentor and friend. Everything he did was with compassion and dedication which all of us admired. He was an inspiration that makes you want to succeed and will be sorely missed.

I have many good memories of Alvar as my teacher in 1981-82 and as my colleague. He was always very supportive of everyone around him. I wish that I knew him better. My deepest sympathies to his family. I will always remember Alvar fondly and as an example of how to engage our students. Sincerely, David Leader

To the Family of Dr. Alvar Gustafson, Today marks a day of deep sadness, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Dr. Gustafson was more than a professor that I was fortunate to have in my Master's in Biomedical Sciences program at Tufts. Apart from his busy days as the head of the program, he was more akin to a kind mentor-- ready to help to any who strived to better themselves as a student, a scholar, and most importantly, a person. Despite leading hundreds of students year to year, I have always appreciated how Dr. Gustafson took the time to get to know each student, be it in class or in passing, and welcomed them with open arms. His kindness, character, and passion is one that I strive to emulate, and I would consider myself lucky if I even reached half of his in my lifetime. With deepest condolences, Peter Ma

Evi and Eric, Please accept my deepest sympathies about Al's recent passing. As a fellow faculty member at Tufts, I knew Al as an enthusiastic, dedicated, and a person of high integrity who and a good sense of humor. He cherished his family and was dedicated to his leadership role in the MS program at TUSM. Al will be missed.