Gordon Gorsuch, “the kindest man on Earth”, passed away on March 25, after a 16 month battle with brain cancer. He was 52 years old.

Born in Boise, Idaho and raised in Salem, Oregon where at the age of 14 he first met and developed a crush on Janelle. Too shy to talk to her then, he got his second chance four years later on the campus of the University of Oregon. After a 4-year courtship, they married in Salem in December of 1989. Gordie and Janelle enjoyed a 5th year at U of O before graduating and moving to Portland. Gordie began his career at Columbia Management Company where he earned his CFA designation. In 2003 he joined Vista Capital Partners as a Lead Financial Advisor. He cherished his clients as if they were his own family and considered it an honor to able to serve them. He so appreciated Vista’s support when he was faced with having to take an extended leave for treatment.

A friend to everyone he met, Gordie had some special groups in his life, including his Phi Kappa Psi brothers, his Hood to-Coast Hoodzilla teammates and the wolf pack of dads in their Eastmoreland neighborhood. They all enjoyed (endured?) his vast library of bad dad jokes and movie quotes. “Shake ’n Bake”

He was simply the best dad and committed to his family. Gordie is survived by his first crush and wife of 32 years, Janelle Gorsuch and their three creative children, Gunnar 23, Beatrice 21 and Gus 17. He also leaves behind his sister Lisa Gorsuch, his mother Marlene Gorsuch (Salem) his father Charles Gorsuch (Sun City, AZ) as well as his in-law family Jeff Stuhr and Peter Kallen, Julie and Tony Robinson, Jennifer and Angelo Smith, Don and Sue Stuhr and a large number of loving uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Gordie was the biggest fan of those he loved. His support in kind words, enormous hugs, genuine smiles and contagious laughter will be missed by all who knew him. Everyone who knew him understood that Gordie lived to do for others and struggled to accept gifts for himself. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer that Gordie be honored with donations to two of his favorite charities, The Oregon Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity.

A celebration of life will be planned when it is safe to do so, until then we leave you with his favorite toast:

“Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death, and if you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.”