Early morning on November 3, 2022, Gordon experienced a massive brain aneurysm. Tragically, he was unable to regain consciousness. But thankfully, Gordon’s immediate family (wife, daughters, and grandchildren) were able to be at his side to love and affirm him before he passed away peacefully on November 4. Gordon was the family’s role model and ROCK and so very loved and admired. This was a sudden, unexpected, and overwhelming loss for all.
Gordon was born in Seattle, Washington, to Ted and Mable (Dickenson) Koblitz. He had many boyhood vacation adventures at their family historic log cabin on Camano Island. In the 1950s, the family moved to Anaheim, California, where they lived on their orange grove acreage. Gordon raised chickens, selling the eggs for spending money and spent many happy hours in his personal hobby room where he created electronics. He developed a love of exercise and became a summer lifeguard. These experiences established a life-long passion for all sports: tennis, pickleball, biking, scuba diving, and disciplined workouts being his favorites.
Gordon graduated from Anaheim High School and proceeded to California State Long Beach earning a B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering in January 1966 and an M.S. Degree in Science and Civil Engineering the following year. He was a founder and President of the Tau Beta Phi engineering honor society. He balanced this busy time with marrying his college love (Mary) and being an involved dad to their first child (Trina) so that Mary could also complete her degree. Gordon worked at North American Aviation in a college unit that designed stress gauges for the Apollo spacecraft.
Upon graduation, Gordon wanted to move back to the Northwest and interviewed with CH2M HILL founder Fred Merryfield, landing his forever and most fulfilling job. Gordon began his career in Corvallis with his first wastewater design in Bend, Oregon. He then moved to Portland and designed the national award-winning Maui Kihei treatment plant. While in Hawaii, he enjoyed tennis and scuba diving with the locals. Gordon was then transferred to Dallas, Texas, where he set up the Texas CH2M presence from the Dallas/Austin offices. His problem solving, listening skills, easy demeanor, quick wit, and work ethic endeared him to the firm and clients. His loving, affirming compassion, infectious laugh, and contagious smile endeared him to his family and friends. Gordon lived his life loving people, learning, and serving. He fulfilled this talent by carrying on the CH2M HILL Alumni Newsletter as Editor and enjoying every article submitted by the firm’s Alumni.
Gordon was a great husband, father, and friend. He leaves behind his wife of 58 years (Mary), two daughters Trina Lewis (husband, Blaine) and Tricia Westman, along with a very large and adoring family of four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Along with Mary, Gordon’s family includes grandson Tyler Tisdale; granddaughter Teagan Tisdale; grandsons Cole and Caden Westman; and two great-grandchildren, Ellie and Elijah Tisdale; and an older brother Craig and his two sons Ken (Lauren) and Dave (Angela) Koblitz.
Gordon sought to make this world a better place by serving and contributing to meaningful projects. If you feel called to commemorate Gordon, please express your love/support to a cause of value to you.
“I want to thank everyone who helped plan and attend the Atlanta CH2M Alumni Conference. Gordon left feeling uplifted and valued for his work and contributions and encouraged that the association had a future. I thank you for doing this for him before he passed; he was a very special man.” – Mary Koblitz