Before Gus Fleischli ever worked the halls of the Wyoming Capitol, he was a waist gunner on a B-17 bomber, flying 32 missions over Germany during World War II.
Fleischli died Monday at the age of 98.
A Cheyenne state legislator, Fleischli served two short stints in the Wyoming House and two years in the state Senate in the late 1940s and 1950s before serving in the House again from 1973-1977.
“He was a great legislator, very supportive of trucking and the university,” former Wyoming GOP chairman Jack Speight said. “He always was a good, faithful Republican.”
Fleischli ran as a Republican for governor in 1978, finishing runner-up to John Ostlund in the primary by about 16,000 votes.
Speight said Fleischli’s only downfall in that campaign was his unrelenting support for the University of Wyoming.
“They degraded him as the ‘head cheerleader for UW sports,'” Speight remembered.
Fleischli worked in the trucking industry before embarking a career in oil, starting Fleischli Oil, a company that served as a middleman for Sinclair Oil.
Cheyenne resident Corey Loghry worked for Fleischli.
“Every oil tank I cleaned and painted was inspected, and Gus taught me the value of customer service, work ethic and doing your best regardless of the job,” she posted on Facebook in response to news of his death. “He made me feel empowered before I even understood what that meant. He shaped me.”
According to a 2012 Wyoming Tribune Eagle story, after 40 years running his business, Fleischli sold it in 1997. At its peak, the company had more than 200 employees and sales in excess of $80 million.
Fleischli was given a Man of the Year honor from the Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, and on Dec. 26, 2015, former Mayor Richard Kaysen declared Gus Fleischli Day in Cheyenne in honor of his 90th birthday.
Fleischli’s love for and dedication to the University of Wyoming College of Business also helped earn him an honorary doctorate from the school.
A Love For Service And Adventure
His longtime friend Mickey Powers said Fleischli was a man of many hobbies and public service.
“Nobody lived a life fuller than he did,” Powers said.
Fleischli spearheaded a Wyoming Honor Flight effort, which flew more than 650 veterans to Washington, D.C., to see the World War II memorial honoring their service.
“It was a very, very worthwhile organization,” Speight said. “It was a really special deal. It would not have gotten off the ground if it weren’t for Gus.”
In 1966 and 1967, Fleischli was chairman of the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, an organization he served with throughout his life.
He was also a member and past president of the Cheyenne Quarterback Club and Cowboy Joe Club.
Not only was he generous with his time, Fleischli also lit up every room he walked into with his jovial manner, Speight said.
Speight and Fleischli bonded over taking care of their wives through serious illnesses.
“He was such a special caretaker,” Speight said.
And if he committed to an endeavor, Powers said Fleischli was only all-in.
“He just loved everything, everything he did he was totally passionate about,” Powers said. “I’ve never seen a guy have so much fun with his activities.”
In his spare time, Fleischli hunted ducks and took trips to Teton County.
Powers said Fleischli died of natural causes and was still very active, attending every rodeo event at Frontier Days in 2023.
Honored
On Friday, Gov. Mark Gordon ordered the Wyoming state flag be flown at half staff at the Capitol next Wednesday in honor of Fleischli.
“Wyoming lost a statesman and great community leader with the passing of my friend Gus,” Gordon said in a press release. “They don’t make them like Gus much anymore. I will miss his sense of humor and his canny wisdom.
“Wyoming has lost a good one, and it is appropriate that we remember his contributions to our state during Cheyenne Frontier Days, where his volunteer service spanned decades.”
Fleischli’s funeral also is Wednesday in Cheyenne.
Leo Wolfson can be reached at leo@cowboystatedaily.com.
