Richard Guster

Richard Evans Guster 1928 - 2020 Richard Evans Guster of Akron died on December 4, 2020. Born in Canton, Ohio on December 21, 1928, he was the only child of Richard Guy Guster and Marienne Elizabeth Straub Guster. Richard is survived by his loving wife, Sharlee Staten Guster, with whom he celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on July 16th of this year, their children, Melissa Guster Haney (Eric) and Timothy Staten Guster (Elaine), and grandchildren Thomson Clay Guster, Chelsea Elizabeth Guster, Evan Campbell Haney, and Emma Carson Haney. He is also greatly missed by his tenth Airedale Terrier Fancy. Dick was noted for his dry wit and intellect, grace on the dance floor, hole-in one golf prowess, and stature as the tall man who walked two Airedales in his Portage Country Club bounded neighborhood. Richard graduated from St. John's Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin, where he was president of his 1946 graduating class, before attending Denison University, where he was chapter president of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and from which he received a Bachelor of Science degree, as well as a commission as Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, upon graduation in 1950. Upon the outbreak of the Korean War, Richard was called to active duty, serving two years and attaining the rank of Captain. Case Western Reserve Law School was Richard's next destination, receiving his Juris Doctor degree in 1955, after serving as a member of the National Moot Court Team, editor of the Law Review, as well as being named Student of the Year. On June 16, 1955, Richard and Sharlee married and became Akron residents. In August of 1955, Richard began the practice of law at the firm Wise, Roetzel, Maxon, Kelly & Andress (now Roetzel & Andress). His very first case was finally resolved in favor of his client in the United States Supreme Court. During his career, he was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Ohio, the U.S. Supreme Court, and many federal district and circuit courts of appeal. He served as lead counsel in significant litigation representing Akron-area and Ohio-based businesses. In 1989, Richard opened an Akron office for the Cleveland firm of Thompson, Hine & Flory, before retiring in 1994. He was a President, Trustee, and Life Member of the Akron Law Library Association, Life Fellow and past President of the Akron Bar Association Foundation, Life Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the Ohio State Bar Association Foundation, American Bar Association Foundation, and Emeritus Member of the International Association of Defense Counsel and Faculty Member of its 1994 Trial Academy. He served as a Trustee and General Counsel for St. Thomas Hospital until its merger with Akron City Hospital to become Summa Health System, where he continued to serve as a Director until elected Emeritus Director in 2005. In Akron, Richard involved himself in many community activities, including the Akron Jaycees, Akron Child Guidance Center, Kiwanis Club of Akron (International Service Award recipient), Visiting Nurse Service of Akron, United Way (including service as Chairman of its Committee on Aging), United Foundation of Summit County (Award of Merit recipient in 1973 and 1974), The Akron City Club (Past President and Director), and Bluecoats, Inc., an organization devoted to serving first responders and their families. Richard's love of golf led him to volunteer service with the American Golf Classic, Inc. (now Northern Ohio Golf Charities) and with the many professional golf tournaments at Firestone County Club (General Chairman of the 1972 American Golf Classic and the 57th PGA Championship in 1975). Richard was a past president of Portage Country Club, where he and his son played in the Father/Son Golf Tournament 50 times in 51 years. Richard and Sharlee were members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, where their children were baptized, confirmed, and married, where two of his grandchildren (Evan and Emma) were baptized, and where he served two terms on its Vestry. Interment will take place at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, together with a memorial service, when it safe for friends and family to attend. Hummel Funeral Homes is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial gifts be made to the Choir Fund of St. Paul's, the Summa Health System Foundation, the Akron Bar Association Foundation, or the charity of your choice.