I remember Gordon. He lived down the block from Steve Spitz. He became a professional musician, and played with the Detroit Symphony. He had this great talent. He could hide pencils in his eye socket. I did not know the human anatomy allowed for such a thing, but I saw him put the pencil in his eye, and it was gone.
He could also put a pool cue in his eye. Fortunately, he could not get the whole thing in his eye. Maybe that finally caught up with him. Play on...Gordie.
I lived two doors down from Gordon on Fairview Lane from the time that we moved to Skokie in November 1956 through high school. Gordon was a brilliant violinist and a great guy. I had the pleasure of being in an award-winning string quartet with him at Fairview School. I was also a violinist in the orchestra with Gordon from around sixth grade through high school. He was the soloist at many concerts at Niles West. I was a patrol boy with Gordon at Fairview. He always wanted to be a brain surgeon, but after three years at the University of Illinois, he decided to be a professional violinist. I had the thrill of seeing Gordon as the concertmaster of the Detroit Symphony at Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The last time I saw him was in November 1989. He died in February 1990.
Gordon was a good friend of mine from 8th grade at Fairview, where he helped integrate the new geeky student into his social circle (along with Steve Spitz, Bob Bulster and Ray Silverstrust) and through high school. We always did something together on Friday and/or Saturday nights. His talent was obvious; I had the pleasure of playing the orchestra with him our senior year. We went our own ways after college and I was saddened to hear of his loss back in the 90's. Rest well, my friend.
I always admired Gordon and his great accomplishment on the violin. I am saddened to learn the world lost his music so long ago.
HS was late to begin violin lessons, but my husband and I are strong Music Boosters. Both of ourdaughters and two of our grandchildren have and are studying violin since early elementary school years, one grandson takesviola lessons, another looks forward to playing the cello. All but our 3 year old granddaughter are taking piano lessons. Through the years, Gordon's violin music has stayed with me and been an inspiration to me. I am grateful his passion reached my family: they do what I can only enjoy. My interest in strings originated with listening to Gordon perform.
I lived across the street from Gordon and went all through school with him. Sorry to hear that he's passed. I remember him as a very kind and gentle kid.
I had the pleasure of being Gordon's accompanist on several occasions. We worked hard to achieve the perfection that he wanted. He was such a gifted, warm and gentle guy. However, I never knew he could put pencils and pool cues in his eyes! Gordon, you were Niles West's shining star. How blessed we were to get to hear you play. Rest in peace, dear virtuoso.
Art Wulf
I remember Gordon. He lived down the block from Steve Spitz. He became a professional musician, and played with the Detroit Symphony. He had this great talent. He could hide pencils in his eye socket. I did not know the human anatomy allowed for such a thing, but I saw him put the pencil in his eye, and it was gone.
He could also put a pool cue in his eye. Fortunately, he could not get the whole thing in his eye. Maybe that finally caught up with him. Play on...Gordie.
Art Wulf
Stephen Spitz
I lived two doors down from Gordon on Fairview Lane from the time that we moved to Skokie in November 1956 through high school. Gordon was a brilliant violinist and a great guy. I had the pleasure of being in an award-winning string quartet with him at Fairview School. I was also a violinist in the orchestra with Gordon from around sixth grade through high school. He was the soloist at many concerts at Niles West. I was a patrol boy with Gordon at Fairview. He always wanted to be a brain surgeon, but after three years at the University of Illinois, he decided to be a professional violinist. I had the thrill of seeing Gordon as the concertmaster of the Detroit Symphony at Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The last time I saw him was in November 1989. He died in February 1990.
Scott Mermel
Gordon was a good friend of mine from 8th grade at Fairview, where he helped integrate the new geeky student into his social circle (along with Steve Spitz, Bob Bulster and Ray Silverstrust) and through high school. We always did something together on Friday and/or Saturday nights. His talent was obvious; I had the pleasure of playing the orchestra with him our senior year. We went our own ways after college and I was saddened to hear of his loss back in the 90's. Rest well, my friend.
Janis Kliphardt (Emery)
I always admired Gordon and his great accomplishment on the violin. I am saddened to learn the world lost his music so long ago.
HS was late to begin violin lessons, but my husband and I are strong Music Boosters. Both of our daughters and two of our grandchildren have and are studying violin since early elementary school years, one grandson takes viola lessons, another looks forward to playing the cello. All but our 3 year old granddaughter are taking piano lessons. Through the years, Gordon's violin music has stayed with me and been an inspiration to me. I am grateful his passion reached my family: they do what I can only enjoy. My interest in strings originated with listening to Gordon perform.
Barbara Ann Strickett (Anderson)
I lived across the street from Gordon and went all through school with him. Sorry to hear that he's passed. I remember him as a very kind and gentle kid.
Nancy Doyle (Sudlow)
I had the pleasure of being Gordon's accompanist on several occasions. We worked hard to achieve the perfection that he wanted. He was such a gifted, warm and gentle guy. However, I never knew he could put pencils and pool cues in his eyes! Gordon, you were Niles West's shining star. How blessed we were to get to hear you play. Rest in peace, dear virtuoso.