Gunars Stumbris, 81, town of Carson, died Friday, June 26, 2009, at his home while under the care of Ministry Home Care-Hospice Services.
A celebration of his life will be held Sunday, July 19, at his home. Family and friends may visit to share his life after 1 p.m.
The Pisarski/Dzikoski Funeral Home of Stevens Point assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be offered online at www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.
Mr. Stumbris was born April 10, 1928, in Riga, Latvia, a son of the late Karlis and Natalija (Lapins) Stumbris.
During his college career at the University of Minnesota he pursued dual interests in mathematics and art, graduating in 1955.
After graduation he conducted aerodynamic research at Rosemount Aeronautical Laboratory under Professor John D. Ackerman, founder of the School of Aeronautics at the University of Minnesota.
He continued his work as an aeronautical engineer with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at the Langley Research Center in Virginia and the Ames Research Center in Mountain View, Calif., publishing several research papers.
Simultaneously he continued to paint and exhibit his work in art galleries in Palo Alto and San Francisco, Calif. Upon moving to Wisconsin, he exhibited works in Milwaukee, Marshfield, Stevens Point and his native Riga, Latvia.
He was married to Maija Students in 1968 in Freehold, N.J., whereupon they moved to their current address in the town of Carson.
Survivors include his wife, Maija; and family in Duluth and Minneapolis, Minn.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Aivars.