Dr. Gordon E. Von Stroh

Dr. Gordon E. Von Stroh, age 69, of Highlands Ranch, passed away March 14th, 2012 surrounded by his family. A celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, March 21st at 1:00 at Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 E. Alameda Ave., Denver. Gordon is survived by his wife of 35 years, Rev. Dr. S. Patrice Von Stroh, children Christina Von Stroh, Jonathan (Jennifer) Von Stroh, PhD., Justin Von Stroh, Esq.; sister Mary Lou (Rod) Strahm, brother Rev. Dean (Betty) Von Stroh, brother-in-law Bill Niedner; father-in-law Carl Helland; uncle Raymond Von Stroh; aunt Luella Granneman, nine nieces and nephews and numerous beloved extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by parents Edward and Hulda Von Stroh; sister Norma Niedner; and mother-in-law Betty Jeanne Helland. Gordon was excitedly awaiting the birth of his first grandchild in May. Gordon was born in Lockwood, MO, a town that his great-grandfather helped establish in 1880, to parents Edward and Hulda Von Stroh. The youngest of four children, he spent his early years on a mid-sized grain and cattle-raising farm where he helped with the farming, raised rabbits and learned to drive on his father's tractor. In fact, Gordon was the proud owner of a restored, shiny red Farmall H, just like his father's. It is true that you can't take the farm out of the boy. Gordon's parents grew up speaking German and had to learn English in school. Even though their schooling only went through eighth grade, education was a strong value in the Von Stroh household, and Gordon and his three siblings (Mary Lou Strahm, Norma Niedner, and Dean Von Stroh) all completed graduate degrees. For more educational opportunities, when Gordon reached eighth grade, the family moved to Winfield, KS. He paid his own way through St. John's Academy/College and Southwestern College by working at and managing Mogle Appliance store. Gordon received his B.A. in economics and business administration in 1963, and his M.A. from Kansas State in 1964. While at the University of Oklahoma completing his Ph.D. in economics and management, he routinely taught more students in a semester than he ever taught at DU in a year. In 1967, after completing his Ph.D. at age 24, he became Assistant Professor of Administrative Science at the University of Denver. He received tenure in 1972, and was promoted to full professor in 1979. In 1971-72, he took a public administration fellowship in Washington DC with the Department of Transportation doing projects with the White House, OMB, Consumer Affairs, and Legislative Affairs. In his 45 years at DU, Gordon had a wealth of accomplishments, including directing honors and study abroad programs, as well as the M.S. and Customized M.B.A. degree programs. He was the chairman of University Ceremonies for many years, and served two terms as President of the Faculty Senate. University awards include ""Outstanding Teaching and Dedication to Students"" (1991 and 2001), ""Leadership on Behalf of the Faculty"" (1993), Founder's Day ""Distinguished Service to the University"" award (2007), and the faculty award for ""Outstanding Service for the Public Good"" (2009). Gordon remained diligent in his action-oriented research activities. One of his research projects was the basis for the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) funding. Other policy studies included ""What Denver can do Downtown to Attract Middle and Upper Income Housing,"" and ""The International Impact of Rent Control."" Beginning in 1981, Gordon conducted the nationally acclaimed Denver Area Apartment Vacancy and Rent Survey, and added similar surveys for Colorado Springs, the state of Colorado, and single family rental properties. He recently turned over these surveys to other colleagues, while continuing in an advisory capacity. In his ""spare time,"" Gordon had a passion for community service, and volunteered on numerous boards. In 1981, he joined the Central City Opera House Association, where he served as President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Gordon was a member of the Highlands Ranch Development Review Committee since 1991, becoming its chair in 1992. Beginning in 2009, he served on the St. John's College board, and was on the board for the Passage Point Condominium Association in Copper Mountain, CO. In the early 1990's, thanks to former DU Chancellor Dan Ritchie, Gordon became acquainted with Tweet Kimball, owner of Cherokee Ranch and Castle in Sedalia, CO. He was delighted to get back to his ranching roots (and to have a place to drive his tractor!). With the help of some of Gordon's M.B.A. student groups, Tweet was able to set up the Cherokee Ranch and Castle Foundation to preserve this important local treasure and open space before her death in 1999. In 2000, Gordon became a member of the Foundation board, and served as its chair since 2004. Gordon's involvement with the multifamily housing industry led him to his long association with and passion for Rocky Mountain Communities. He was on the board since 1997, and served as Treasurer and Chair. Most recently, he was involved in a project for RMC to improve resident services, because he was concerned about helping people succeed in life. In November, RMC honored him with their first Service to Community Award, and Governor Hickenlooper declared November 9th, 2011 ""Gordon Von Stroh Day."" Gordon was also known for quick and decisive action. He and his wife, Patrice, had their first date on November 5, 1976, were engaged three weeks later, and were married on March 12, 1977. They discourage their children (Christina, Jonathan and Justin) from this sort of impulsive behavior, but their children rightly point out that ""It worked for you!"" Patrice and the children have between them a total of one undergraduate and nine graduate degrees from DU. The children each have a Daniel's College of Business graduate degree plus an additional graduate degree. Like father, like child. Gordon's family was his pride and joy, and he was excitedly awaiting the birth of his first grandchild in May. In May 2011, after three years of unexplained symptoms, Gordon was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Although this was a devastating diagnosis, Gordon remained optimistic and continued with as many of his activities as he could manage. He was most appreciative of the support and encouragement he received from the Colorado chapter of the ALS Association. He always appreciated his family and friends' continued prayers and encouragement. Gordon always said that for the space you occupy on this earth, you have a responsibility to give back. Well done, good and faithful servant. Charitable gifts in Gordon's memory may be made to any one of his favorite organizations, including: the Cherokee Ranch and Castle Foundation, Central City Opera, Rocky Mountain Communities, University of Denver (Dr. Gordon Von Stroh Scholarship), the ALS Association, St. Peter Lutheran Church, Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains (Adoption Services), Lutheran Braille Workers, St. John's College (Winfield, KS).   • Cherokee Ranch and Castle Foundation 6113 North Daniels Park Road Sedalia, CO 80135 http://www.cherokeeranch.org/ • Central City Opera 400 S. Colorado Blvd. Suite 530 Denver, CO 80246 http://www.centralcityopera.org/ • Rocky Mountain Communities 225 E. 16th Ave,, Suite 1060 Denver, CO 80203 http://www.rockymountaincommunities.org/ • University of Denver Dr. Gordon Von Stroh Scholarship Advancement Office PO Box 910585 Denver, CO 80291-0585 https://secure.imodules.com/s/1150/giving/giving.aspx? sid=1150&gid=1&pgid=912&cid=1698 • ALS Association (Rocky Mountain Chapter) 7403 Church Ranch Blvd., Suite 109 Westminster, CO 80021 http://webco.alsa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=CO_homepage • St. Peter Lutheran Church 9300 East Belleview Ave Greenwood Village, CO 80111 http://www.stplc.org/ • Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains (Adoption Services) 363 S. Harlan Street Suite 200 Denver, CO 80226 http://www.lfsco.org/ • Lutheran Braille Workers 13471 California St. P.O. Box 5000 Yucaipa, CA 92399 http://www.lbwinc.org/ • St. John's College Alumni Association (Winfield, KS) PO Box 376 Winfield, KS 67156-0376 http://stjohnsalumni.org/