Charles Richards Gordon

Gordon, Charles Richards Cheer don't grieve, God rest his soul and get the old bones planted, perhaps recite "Casey at the Bat" or best of all sing "Danny Boy". Those were some of the words of Charles R. "Dick" Gordon who died peacefully on December 8, 2008 at the age of 97. A writer from an early age he went on to become editor of his high school newspaper where his headmaster thought he was a better writer than another student named F. Scott Fitzgerald. He started work as a reporter for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, moving on to become a sports journalist for the Chicago Daily News, Minneapolis StarTribune, the Viking Report, the Sporting News, Grand Gazette and Highland Villager and was also a special correspondent for Sports Illustrated from its founding in 1956. During WWII he was a marine in the South Pacific for four years. He never really retired, filing his last story with the Highland Villager in February 2008. Letters were written to his sons all his life whether they were at summer camp, college or elsewhere.. He wrote weekly to his son in Ireland, writing his last letter in August 2008. Poems were written for birthdays, Christmas, and big bashes. Shy as he was, he'd always stand in front of a crowd and recite them. First and foremost he was an amazing Dad for his three sons. He would take them camping, on breakfast picnics, and to games he was covering. He would bring them hot dogs on the long walk down the Memorial Stadium steps and then after games get his sons autographs and introduce them to their idols. All will remember his pranks, his companions, Gippy and Pax, his ping pong, morning dips, naps on the porch, peanut butter and beer breath, raw hamburger from the fridge, and that incredible sense of humor, with a smile and laugh and mischievous eyes that could captivate anyone. Finally, that memory of his. All knew about it. God has a better one but not many more do. For us he was the best Dad of all. We miss him so much. Preceded in death by his parents Charles William and Charlotte Bishop Gordon, prominent St. Paul citizens, sister Virginia Borup Gordon, and his wife of 61 years, Adelaide (Washburn). Survived by 3 sons Charlie (Jocelyn), Bobby (Stephanie), and Dicky (Catherine); grandchildren Barrett, Jesse, Luke, Maeve, Anna, Gus, Sam, Charlie, Sophie, and Evan. Memorial service on Saturday, April 25th at 2:30 PM at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church, 60 Kent St., St. Paul, 55104. Reception to follow at 4 PM, Somerset Country Club, 1416 Dodd, Mendota Heights. In lieu of flowers, donations preferred to St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church,
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.