Obituary: Gordon D. Logan - Class of of 1930

MADISON - Gordon D. Logan passed away at Meriter Hospital, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007. He was born in Beaver Dam on Aug. 20, 1912. His parents were the Rev. and Mrs. Harland C. Logan. Four sisters, Evelyn (Coatsworth), Margaret "Peg" (Gilbert), Ruth (Hulbert) and Jean (Bjorn) preceded him in death. After graduating from Central High School in Madison in 1930, Gordon went on to study personnel administration and business management at the University of Wisconsin until 1934. After college, he began his career with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in Milwaukee. While living there, he met Dorothy Ireland and the two were married in 1940. From Milwaukee, they moved to Kansas City, Mo., where Gordon had accepted a position as personnel officer of the Federal Public Housing Authority. A year later, they moved back to Madison and he began work in personnel management at the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory. A tour of duty as an officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II took him to the Pacific Theater for two-and-half years. Afterwards, he returned to the Laboratory where he was later promoted to assistant director, in charge of administrative management. He was an active and longtime member of the Society for Research Administration. He eventually retired in 1973. Gordon gave of his time and talents in many ways. He was the charter president, and a member, of the West Side Optimist Club beginning in 1952. He later was elected lieutenant governor of Optimist International. He was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church for more than 50 years. During those years he served as an elder, an administrative elder, clerk of the session, and a member of several ministerial search, as well as finance committees. Gordon was elected as a trustee of the Village of Shorewood Hills and was chairperson of their personnel committee for four years. Above all, Gordon was a devoted, loving and caring individual, most notably as husband and father. Family always took priority for him but he was always aware of the value of friends and community. He is survived by Dorothy, his wife of 67 years; and two children, a son, David of Madison, and a daughter, Nancy of Seattle, Wash. His family would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to Dr. John Ewalt, and all the nurses and nurses aids, who cared for Gordon during his illness. A Memorial Service will be held a COVENANT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 326 S. Segoe Road, on Friday, Sept. 14, 2007, at 11 a.m. Lunch will follow the service with time to greet the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Madison West Optimist Club's "Burt Hable Scholarship Fund" or Covenant Presbyterian Church

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on September 12, 2007