Roaring Fork Campus faculty Frank Gordon passes away

Frank V. Gordon, 56, of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, passed away on March 24, 2010, at University of Colorado Hospital in Denver, Colorado, from complications of cancer.

Frank was born on Sept. 13, 1953, in Washington, D.C. to John Howard Gordon and Mildred Reed Gordon. Frank was married to Barbara P. Kozelka; they were soul mates for 20 years. Frank graduated from James Madison University in Virginia in 1977. He was a resident of Colorado for over 30 years. Frank and Barb moved to Glenwood springs from Denver in 1996.

A man of remarkable clarity, steady purpose, unwavering reliability, quick wit and dry humor, Frank was a geologist by education and worked early in his career in geophysical exploration. Frank developed a deep and insightful understanding of real estate markets over the last 30 years and enjoyed a successful second career as a respected investor. Frank had many friends and colleagues in the investment and exchangers community nationwide. Frank was a skilled mountain climber, expert skier of extraordinary grace, and an avid outdoorsman in every respect. After graduating from college, he walked the entire Appalachian Trail with his dog, Buckwheat. Frank was also a student for 30 years of the Japanese martial art of Aikido, teaching Aikido at Colorado Mountain College for the last 13 years. Frank’s astonishing network of friends is a testament to his quiet magnetism, the genuine care and generosity he showed for everyone who crossed his path, and his reliable dedication to staying in touch with his friends and colleagues. He will be deeply missed.

Frank is survived by his wife, Barbara P. Kozelka; his mother, Mildred Reed Gordon of Falls Church, Virginia; sister Mildred Gordon (Jock) Owings of Chatham, Virginia; niece, Molly Jeanette (William Richard III) Short of Chatham, Virginia; nephew John Reed Owings of Radford, Virginia; great niece Macie Jeanette Short; sisters-in-law Sara B. Caraszi of Madison, CT and Amy G. Kozelka of Guilford, CT; brother-in-law Richard E. Kozelka of Cumberland, MD; nephew Eric R. Caraszi of San Francisco, CA; niece Anna B. Caraszi of Falmouth, Maine; and faithful and loyal canine companion, Archie the Bouvier. Frank was predeceased by his father, John Howard Gordon, and his brothers, Maurice Thompson Gordon and John Bennett Gordon.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 10, 2010, at Noon, at Sunlight Mountain Resort (www.sunlightmtn.com) in Glenwood Springs, CO. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Frank’s memory to a worthy charitable organization.