Gordon died peacefully Sept. 18, 2016, in Kansas City, where he was born. He came to Princeton from Pembroke Country Day School and majored in basic engineering. He was a member of the swimming team and the advertising forum and joined Colonial Club.
After Princeton, Gordon graduated from Officer Candidate School, trained in underwater demolition, and operated underwater from Labrador to the Virgin Islands.
Back on dry land, he earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and returned to Kansas City to begin a career with Procter & Gamble. Moving to Faultless Starch, the family business, Gordon eventually became chairman of the board and CEO.
Community activities were always a major aspect of his life and ranged from the mayor’s human-relations committee, which he considered “a race against time … to defuse future race riots,” to chairing the National Parks & Conservation Association, “helping to protect American wilderness.”
Princeton continued to be an important part of his life as well. He worked to recruit candidates and diversify the student body, served on the Alumni Council, and established a scholarship fund in his name. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Nancy, and three of their four children.