Gosar Sausage patriarch died Friday

MONTE VISTA– Longtime San Luis Valley farmer and businessman Greg Anthony “Racer” Gosar, 81, died Friday, Jan. 11 after a brief battle with illness.

He was best known for his family’s famous Gosar Sausage and his 30-year tenure as a member of the Early Iron Car Club and loved his association with the rodders.

Before coming to the San Luis Valley, Greg lived and farmed in Tolleson, Arizona. There he fulfilled a dream to road race in open-wheeled Formula cars. He did it with talent and success.

He was nationally recognized by The Sports Car Club of America for his many wins.  He also became a member of the National Guard and was very proud of his military service.

In 1971, he moved to the San Luis Valley and put down deep roots.  He established an organic alfalfa and wheat farm long before organic became mainstream.  He was one of the first to practice minimum tillage and he developed an impressive herd of Blonde D’Aquitaine cattle and created a flour mill to stone grind his wheat.  It was the birth of Mountain Mama Milling, which has been making families healthy for 45 years and still humming along.

When not doing all of this, he raced his beloved ’73 RS Porsche Carrera and acquired numerous trophies, thrilling all fans of the Porsche Club of America.

He also was a consummate violinist, playing with the Utah Symphony when he was 12 years old. He played with the Pastoral String Quartet until health issues robbed him of the ability to play.

Gosar is survived by his wife of 60 years, Suzanne, and children Kris (Jill) Gosar, Chad (Dory) Gosar, and Quin (Kim) Greaves, as well as eight grandchildren and his beloved dog, Kiva.