1976 – Midland, Michigan
Esther Schuette Gerstacker was born in Cleveland, Ohio, one of seven children of William and Cathrin Little. She attended public schools in Cleveland and Hiram College, from whom she received an honorary degree, has served as a Trustee and was elected to the prestigious Garfield Society. Some years after the death of her first husband, Dr. William Schuette, she married the late Carl A. Gerstacker, Chairman of the Board of The Dow Chemical Company. Their children are Sandra Schuette Joys, Dr. Gretchen Schuette, Michigan State Senator William D. Schuette, Bette Gerstacker and Lisa Gerstacker Walsh. She is a charter member and treasurer of The Midland Foundation, was president when it constructed the popular Tridge which spans the forks of converging rivers near to downtown for the City of Midland and was instrumental in the reconstruction of downtown Midland and the Pere Marquette Rail Trail. Her community service has included: United Way – board, president; Center for the Arts – board, secretary; Music Society – board; Symphony Orchestra – board; St. John’s Episcopal Church – Vestry, Investment Use Committee, Altar Guild; Visiting Nurse Association – board, vice president; Midland Hospital – Planning Committee; Cancer Services – board; City of Midland – Beautification Commission, Community Affairs Council; Salvation Army – board; Red Cross – board; Girl Scouts – board; Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation – board; Rotary Club – Paul Harris Fellow; Exchange Club – Book of Golden Deeds; and Midland County – Honorary Deputy Sheriff. She has been a member of the Town & Campus Executive Board for many years. A village residential area on campus bears the Schuette name and in October of 1999, the Gerstacker Athletic Complex was dedicated on the Michigan campus. (Deceased 2003)
