Gordon Lee Larsen

1932 - 2018

Gordon Lee Larsen
Gordon Lee Larsen, aged 86 of Santa Rosa, CA, died peacefully in his home on November 29, 2018 of natural causes and complications from Dementia.
Gordon was born on January 24, 1932 in Los Angeles, CA. He attended undergraduate university at UCLA. Gordon was the third class to graduate from UCLA medical school in 1957. Gordon chose to complete his residency in Pediatrics at Rochester University, in upstate NY where he met his wife. On April 26, 1958, he was married to Kathleen Ann Carty. Later they raised five children together. Gordon served in the United States Air Force and attained the rank of Colonel. While serving in the US Air Force, he and his family spent a considerable time in Wiesbaden, Germany where he received training in thoracic surgery and attended to wounded American soldiers. He also became fluent in German.
In 1975, Gordon and his family moved to Santa Rosa where he joined Dr. Douglas Cardozo's private practice performing chest and lung surgery. Along with Dr. Cardozo, Gordon was one of the first board-certified thoracic surgeons in Sonoma County. He was a pioneer in the medical community. Most of his surgeries were performed at Memorial Hospital. However, Gordon was most proud of his charitable contribution serving less fortunate and uninsured patients at the former Community Hospital on Chanate Road.
In the late 1980s, he joined the private cardiothoracic surgery practice of Marshall Marchbanks where he performed thoracic surgery and assisted on many cardiac surgery cases. Gordon saved the lives of countless patients with his surgical skill, excellent bedside manner, and his desire to heal those who were afflicted with heart and lung ailments. He was on the cutting edge of skillfully inserting pacemakers into the chests of patients, extending the lives of so many who would have otherwise died. Gordon mentored and guided other young doctors instilling in them the love of caring for patients while maintaining the highest level of skill and competency.
Gordon generously contributed to numerous community non-profits and political organizations, including but not limited to, Wounded Warriors and other veteran organizations, the ACLU, and Americans United for Separation of Church and State. He was dedicated to social justice and committed to making life better for others. Gordon was very proud to be a major financial donor to the Bay Area Physicians for Human Rights or BAPHR.
Gordon's love of classical music inspired him to take piano lessons up until last year where he performed as the eldest student in numerous recitals. He was an avid bridge player and belonged to several local bridge clubs. His love of ballroom and Latin dancing earned him and Carol Ann, a longtime friend, many awards. As a trained pilot in the USAF, Gordon continued his passion of flying small piper planes during his tenure as a surgeon.
Gordon's love of world travel preceded his meeting of his current spouse. In 1990 Gordon met Michael A. Fiumara, a young attorney in San Francisco and they traveled all over the world primarily on cruise ships throughout much of Russia, all throughout Europe, Africa, and South America. Together they developed a deep respect and appreciation for history and the diverse cultures they encountered.
Gordon Larsen is survived by his current spouse, Michael A. Fiumara of Santa Rosa, CA and Gordon's five children: Dea Larsen Converse of Madison, WI; James Larsen of Danville, CA; Katie Larsen of Martinez, CA; Nancy Larsen of Santa Rosa, CA and Michael Larsen of Santa Rosa, CA. Gordon is also survived by eight grandchildren.
If anyone wishes to donate in Gordon's name, please consider donating to Bay Area Physicians for Human Rights (see their website at: http://www.baphr.org/; BAPHR) PO Box 14188, San Francisco, CA 94114 (415.937.0204).
The family would like to thank Santa Rosa Memorial Hospice and their very skilled, knowledgeable, caring and dedicated doctors, nurses, social workers, and staff.
A private service and memorial will be held at the Windsor Healdsburg Mortuary located at 9660 Old Redwood Hwy, Windsor, CA 95492 on January 24, 2019 at 11:00 a.m.