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BORN
1951
DIED
2012
Gordon West Obituary
The Reverend Dr. Gordon Fitzhugh West, III, PhD, age 61, of La Quinta, California, died July 17, 2012 in Indian Wells, California. Dr. West was born on May 22, 1951 to Gordon and Jacqueline West in Camden, New Jersey. He married Louise Matrone on August 4, 1973 in Pensacola, Florida. For 12 years he served as the Director of Continuing Education at the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences, was a Presbyterian minister for 35 years, and a professor at College of the Desert in Palm Desert, California for 15 years. Dr. West was president of the Society for Academic Medical Education; Chair of the Legislative Committee for the Southern California Medical Education Council; a surveyor for the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education; a certified continuing medical education professional; and a member of the Alliance for Continuing Medical Education in the Health Professions. He is survived by his spouse of 39 years, Louise West of La Quinta, California; son Gordon (Clare) West of Ripon, California; daughter Laurel (Ryan) Marohn of La Quinta; sisters Tracey West (Robert Hart) of Chapel Hill, North Carolina and Jill Akers of Jacksonville, Florida; granddaughter Morgan West of Ripon; grandson Silas Marohn of La Quinta; brothers-in-law Vincent (Laura) Matrone of Dallas, Texas and Louis (Pam) Matrone of Ashburn, North Carolina. A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Monday, July 23, 2012 at the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences on the campus of Eisenhower Medical Center at 39000 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, California. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Association.
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Memories and Condolences
for Gordon West
Tess Fleming
May 29, 2013
Dr. West was an amazing professor. I had the honor taking several of his classes at College of the Desert. I just heard of his passing and my heart is saddened. My condolences go out to his wife and children, whom he spoke highly and frequently of. The lord works in mysterious ways and now we have an amazing angel watching over us. You will forever be in our hearts and our minds.
Vicky Soto-Valdez
October 8, 2012
I had the privilege of meeting Gordon through the Southern California Medical Education Council. He was always willing to help and pass along his extensive wisdom. He was a superb human being, and I will miss seeing him at our meetings. My prayers go out to his family.
September 9, 2012
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. West two years ago at College of the Desert. He was an amazing professor, he made our class very interesting with his real life stories. He was such a dedicated man who loved helping students succeed in school. His love for his wife and children was shared with students and this only made him a true person to relate to. May he rest in peace. Best Regards to his wife and children.
Jackie Ortiz
August 25, 2012
He was such a nice man. I had him as a professor for two psychology classes and he was super cool always making everyone laugh! Rest in peace Professor West!
David Haas
August 22, 2012
I'll miss you. You were always there.God bless your family
Dan Cavallaro
August 21, 2012
I am so sorry to learn of Gorgon's passing. He was one of my heros at Florida Ambualnce...one cool dude
Duncan Hitchcock
August 20, 2012
Gordon oriented me to my new job at Florida Ambulance Service in St. Petersburg, Florida in the early 1970's. Gordon was one of the most positive people I have ever had the pleasure to know. Such a kind and gentle soul.
Mike Sprinkle
August 20, 2012
Gordon I will miss you my old friend & Partner.
Elaine Miller
August 20, 2012
Dr. West was my mentor at my first Alliance CME conference and we remained in touch over the past 5 years. He was a great mentor, inspiration, mind and man. I will always be grateful that I had the opportunity to meet and be mentored by him. Gordon will be missed. May his memory be eternal.
R. Keith Bailey, MD
August 19, 2012
I did not hear of Gordon's death until late. I worked with him while he was an undergraduate in St Petersburg, Fl. He was actually a pioneer in EMS as well working as an EMT. I worked many difficult calls where his compassion was despirately needed. I learned a great deal from him. He was a true humanitarian and servant of GOD. Prayers for his soul and family.
Christine Valenzuela
August 14, 2012
Although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear, just know that you are very close in every thought and prayer. I had the opportuinty to meet Mr. West @ college of the desert. He was a great man, that loved his family with all he had. You have my deepest sympathy on ur loss.
July 24, 2012
Dear West Family,
May God's grace give you strength in this time of sorrow and loss. I had the pleasure of knowing Gordon for the past 15 years at EMC and working with him at ACHS for 2 of those years. Gordon was an amazing human being, with such a kind heart and soul and compassion for all. I and all who knew him will dearly miss and never forget this kind gentleman.
With deepest sympathy,
Lauren Ewing
July 23, 2012
I had the priviledge of taking all of the Psychology Classes that Dr. West taught at College of the Desert. He was such a kind person, he had such charisma that made you feel at ease, he was by far my favorite professor; he will be dearly missed.
Our prayers are with the West Family - may God grant you the strength and peace which your hearts require in this time of need.
Sincerely,
Maria E. Alvarez
July 23, 2012
I cannot believe that you are gone Professor, you were by far one of the best Professors that I had the pleasure of knowing at College of the Desert, and I was looking forward to taking another one of your classes this Fall. May God bless you and your family during this time and always.
April Shepard
July 23, 2012
I had Dr. West as my instructor in both Psychology classes I took at COD. He was a genuine person and very knowledgable in his profession. I will miss him greatly. And, yes, he had a great smile and sense of humor. My thoughts are with his family.
Cheryl Houston
July 23, 2012
I am so sorry for your family my heart is heavy, I worked with Gordon at College of the Desert, I am going to miss his smile and the joy that he carried with him where ever he went. It is a great lose to the students that have been in his class and also for the students that enrolled in his Fall classes. We will miss him and he will always be in our hearts. I pray that God will be with you in your days ahead and give you strength and healing.
Dawn Brenner-Plonski
July 23, 2012
I still can't believe that Gordon is no longer with us. What a shock to hear the news. Gordon was such a kind, loving soul and was a true blessing to work with. I pray that God will give you comfort and strength during this time.
Jim/Jane Mead
July 22, 2012
Louise: Jane & I wish we could be with you at this difficult time. But be assured that our thoughts and prayers are with you. Gordon was one of the first ministers to give his support to Spirit of the Desert Presbyterian Fellowship. He will always be in our hearts and memories.
Sandra Merkow
July 22, 2012
You will be missed by all of us at EMC. Gordon was a wonderfully compassionate person who was an advocate for all. Peace be with you my friend.
July 22, 2012
Louise - Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire family during this difficult time. May God bless you and extend upon you his healing hands. Love Cousin Kenneth and Susanna and family!!
Betty Wolf
July 22, 2012
Gordon touched so many of us with his warmth and exceptional intelligence. He was a rare gem.
May the gentle hand of God bless the West family and hold you close during this difficult time.
Pam Silver
July 22, 2012
Gordon was one of the kindest people I have ever known. He helped so many of us at various times oftentimes with nothing more than a knowing nod and welcome smile. I loved working with him. He will be missed.
bernadette heavey
July 21, 2012
Gordon , your compassion, your professionalism, your contagious smile will be so missed . My prayers go out to your family . I have fond memories of Gordon when he was our hospital chaplain .
July 21, 2012
As a professional colleague, Gordon was ethical, conscientious, fair, helpful,intelligent, and --most of all-- nice. We will miss him. Deepest sympathy to the family.
Stephanie Phillips, PhD
July 21, 2012
Louise,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Love,
Cousin Michael and Alma Matrone
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