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MARQUETTE, MI- Gayne “Gus” Gustav Erdmann, age 93, of 9067 County Road 550, Marquette, entered eternal life on Sunday, July 26, 2026. He died peacefully at his home of over two years, where he was lovingly cared for by the staff of Assisted Independence with the support of the Department of Veterans Affairs, U.P. Home Health and Hospice.
Born at home on May 20, 1933, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Gus attended Washington Grade School and graduated from Wauwatosa High School in 1951. He continued his education with pre-forestry coursework at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1952, 1953, and 1956. During the summer of 1952, he traveled to Plains, Montana, to work for the U.S. Forest Service. In 1953, he relocated to Missoula, Montana, where he became a rookie smokejumper after completing rigorous training to parachute into remote areas and battle wildland fires.
In February 1954, Gus was drafted into the United States Army. He served with the 537th 105th Howitzer Artillery Division at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, rising to the rank of Sergeant and training officers to serve as forward observers in Howitzer Artillery Divisions. Following his honorable discharge in February 1958, he returned home.
On June 22, 1957, he married his best friend and the love of his life, Barbara F. Reinschmidt. Together they returned to Missoula, where Gus completed his forestry education while continuing to work as a smokejumper during the summers of 1957 and 1958. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Management in 1959 and his Master of Science degree in Forest Science from the University of Montana in 1960.
For more than 30 years, Gus served as a Research Forester and Silviculturist with the U.S. Forest Service. His first six years were spent conducting research in the Hardwood Plantation Establishment program in Ames, Iowa. In 1966, he was transferred to the Management and Ecology of Northern Hardwoods Project in Marquette, where he worked for many years before spending the final six years of his distinguished career in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.
Throughout his career, Gus authored and co-authored more than 40 scientific publications. As a silviculturist, he advised foresters, loggers, and woodland owners on the management of northern hardwood forests for economic, recreational, and conservation purposes. He retired from the U.S. Forest Service in February 1989. Gus was a Golden Member of the Society of American Foresters for more than 60 years and was honored as an elected SAF Fellow.
Following his retirement, Gus continued sharing his expertise as a consulting forester. He first worked with Fred Prince’s Forest for the Future Conservation Program and later devoted much of his time assisting families with planning the stewardship and transfer of their forestland to future generations.
Gus cherished his family, treasured lifelong friendships, and remained deeply passionate about forestry, smokejumping, and the U.S. Forest Service. He found great joy in hunting, fishing, working in the woods, and spending time with family at Toulish Lake in northern Wisconsin. He was also a devoted German Shorthaired Pointer enthusiast and lifelong dog lover.
Gus was preceded in death by his beloved wife of nearly 67 years, Barbara Erdmann. Together they shared 58 wonderful years in their home at 1731 Elm Street in Marquette before moving to Assisted Independence in Big Bay.
He is survived by his children, Guy Erdmann of Topsham, Maine; GayLynn Cuming of Round Rock, Texas; and Genny Erdmann and Gwen Gentz, both of Marquette; grandchildren, Kristen (Jordan) Wieber of Round Rock, Texas, Connor Gentz, Sabrina Gentz, Callie Gentz, Gillian Erdmann-Lipp, Geena Erdmann-Lipp, and Gabriel Erdmann-Lipp, all of Marquette; great-grandsons, Brodie Luhan and Luke Wieber of Round Rock, Texas. He also held a special affection for Gwenás significant other, Martin DeFant, and Callieás significant other, Matthew Schlenkert.
Honoring Gus’s wishes, no public service will be held. A private family gathering will take place as Gus and Barbara are laid to rest together in their final resting place.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Redeemer Lutheran Church, the Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter (UPAWS), or through the Plant a Tree program offered by Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services.
The Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com or mailed to Gwen Gentz, 903 W. Magnetic Street, Marquette, MI 49855.