Gordon Van Hauser

Gordon Van Hauser 1919-2008 Gordon was born in October 1919 to George and Anna Van Hauser in Milwaukee, WI and passed away peacefully in Redwood City, CA on July 25, 2008. Gordon attended Shorewood High School and Spencerian Business College in Milwaukee before joining the US Marine Corps in 1939. As a member of the greatest generation, he survived the attack of Pearl Harbor and participated in the battles of Guadalcanal, Midway and the Solomon Islands. While in the Marine Corps, Gordon used his prolific writing skills to write letters for fellow Marines to their loved ones back home. He also wrote and was recognized for writing an eyewitness account of the attack on Pearl Harbor, which was published and widely distributed in Leatherneck Magazine, January, 1942. Gordon was involved in the transportation business and earned numerous awards while working for companies such as Bigge, Watkins and Bay Orbit. He loved being a sales representative and as one of his clients commented, "He became a legend in Silicon Valley Transportation". Gordon was also active in Delta Nu Alpha and promoted the transportation industry by publishing his own monthly newsletter. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He valued his friendships over the years and had many long time friends. He loved travel, golf and spending time with his family. He was also an avid reader and a former President of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association Chapter 16. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Jeannette and two sisters, Alice Johnson and Lucille Lehmann. He leaves behind his daughter, Mary Ellen, Boston; daughter and son-in-law, Eileen & David Fuentes, San Jose; sons, Douglas, San Jose and Gregory, Portola Valley; grandchildren, Amity Rodriguez, Seattle; Keith Fuentes, Sacramento; and Gina Fuentes, San Jose. If a man is measured by the size of his heart, then Gordon was a giant. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Memorial services will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, August 6 at St. Pius Catholic Church, 1100 Woodside Road, Redwood City, CA. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent in Gordon's name to the American Cancer Society.