Mr. Robert L. Gordon

Words on behalf of the passing of my husband, Robert L. Gordon, Jr: from a loving wife Karen. When death arrives quickly and unexpectedly, one is left with an inability to speak or breathe. So it was I found myself at Rob’s departing. It is said that you find one true love in a lifetime, and that was Rob for me. Trying to capture in a few words, the essence of the man that was Rob, entails much more than a few paragraphs. He was a man of many interests and a man of honor. He took up challenges like nurturing and caring for orchids, and making fruitcakes yearly from a recipe left by my mother. He served his Jewish community as a member of the chevra kadisha, (Burial society) caring for the deceased; he served his country in Vietnam, and his profession, first as a hospital administrator and then becoming a certified substance abuse counselor. He will be sorely missed by his friends, colleagues, his sister, Mary Ellen, and of course Hershey and I. Living in this world without him is a difficult task for me. The words that follow are the ones he wrote and he wanted you to know. The family requests privacy at this most sad of times. Rob was born on July 21, 1944 in Richmond, Virginia. His father Robert Sr., was fighting the nazis in France. He returned a year later. Rob achieved Eagle Scout in 1960 and attended the 50th anniversary of Scouting at the World Jamboree in Colorado Springs in 1961. Rob graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1966. He delayed his call to active duty to graduate from the University of Richmond with a masters degree in political science, (1969). After meritorious service in Vietnam (MACV 1969-1970), he returned to Richmond and went to work teaching at Richmond Professional Institute for a couple of semesters and then went to work at the Medical College of Virginia hospital as a Unit Manager. He met his wife Karen who also worked there and they were married in June of 1973. Rob enrolled in the Medical College of Virginia program for hospital and health care administration and graduated with a Masters Degree (MHA) in 1975. Rob worked in administration at Brown County Mental Health Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he became close friends with the clinical director, Dr. Edward J. Johnson M.D., and Dr. Johnson’s family. Rob changed careers in 1989 to become a certified substance abuse counselor and retired from Libertas Treatment Center, in 2007. Rob enjoyed history, philosophy, psychology, teaching, learning, and self-defense shooting. Rob and Karen raised, kept, trained, fostered, placed and loved German Shepherd Dogs. Rob became Jewish by choice and belonged to Congregation C’nesses Israel Synagogue in Green Bay, WI., where he participated in many activities with the Last Minute Men committee. Robe was preceded in death by his parents, Robert I. Sr., and Rachel Riches Gordon. His friend Edward J. Johnson, M.D., and 2 brothers-in-law, related by marriage to Karen. Rob is survived by his wife, Karen, his sister, Mary Ellen Gordon of Atlanta, and the family of Dr. Johnson, including Mary, Kirsten, Erik, Craig and their families. Donations in his memorial may be made to Cato Institute.org Ayn Rand Institute.org or Reason.org

Mr. Robert L. Gordon

July 21, 1944 - July 9, 2023