|
MEMORIAL ARTICLE
Published Assembly WI '72
Gordon Henry Oosting No. 15353
Class of 1946 Died 18 June 1970 in New York, New York,
aged 46 years. Cremated: Ashes scattered at sea. |
Gordon Henry Oosting was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on
6 May 1924, the son of Florence and Henry Oosting. The family
soon moved to Holland, Michigan, where Gordon spent his childhood.
There were happy days on the shore of Lake Macatawa, and at the
conclusion of his high school sophomore year Gordon was off to
Culver Military Academy in Indiana for summer session. After
qualifying for a scholarship, Cordon completed his two final
high school years at Culver. Then followed a year at the University
of Michigan with afilliation as an Alpha Delta Phi.
Appointment to the Military Academy was the culmination of a
great desire, and Gordon consecratedly pursued academics supplemented
with enthusiastic participation in crew. Following graduation
with the Class of 1946 a Master's of Science in Petroleum Engineering
was earned at the University of Pittsburgh, which led to a year's
tour of duty at Point Barrow. Later Gordon served as Aide-de-Camp
to General Mark W. Clark and in 1952 married Ann Clark at Fort
Monroe, Virginia. Duty at the Presidio in San Francisco followed.
In 1952, Gordon resigned from the Army and became associated
with Dean Witter and Co. Investments in San Francisco. The training
and discipline instilled at Culver and West Point soon made themselves
apparent in Gordon's progress in the business world. When the
San Matea office of Dean Witter was opened in 1960, Gordon became
its dynamic manager. Ann Oosting passed on in 1962, but Gordon
continued to serve the San Matea Community on the Board of the
Boy's Club, as an officer and Board Member of the First Church
of Christ, Scientist, San Mateo, and on the Valentine Haven Board,
arousing admiration and respect among his colleagues.
Gordon became "Dad" to two teen-agers, Ronald and Carol,
when he married Camille Moreggia Roberts of Hillsborough in 1964.
Winter weekends found the family skiing in the Sierras--Gordon
again proving himself an "achiever" whether in sports
or in business. Gordon always showed a great Interest in young
people and was active in Adventure Unlimited which provided wholesome
teenage recreation locally and summer camp experiences in the
Colorado Rockies. The Albert Baker Scholarship Fund, aiding needy
college students, also received his ardent support.
It was in 1965 that Gordon became a partner in Dean
Witter & Co. and the following year was appointed Northern
Division Sales Manager headquartering in San Francisco. Many
young men early in their careers benefited from Gordon's patient,
perceptive, and enthusiastic guidance. When the Company incorporated,
Gordon was named a First Vice-President. Then in July 1969 came
the move to New York as Senior Vice-President and National Sales
Manager with its challenging new responsibilities. Gordon had
just been appointed to the Dean Witter Board of Directors before
his passing on in New York City on 11 June 1970.
A close associate once described Gordon as "solid gold,"
and those who knew him will always think of Gordon that way.
|