Gordon R. Williamson ’62

Gordon R. Williamson ’62 of Hanover died on February 15. Gordy was predeceased in 2015 by his wife of 37 years, Virginia (an adopted member of our class). He is survived by his brother, Allan, daughter Lianna, son Derek, stepdaughter Tully, and three grandchildren. According to Lianna, Gordy was a working-class kid from inner-city Chicago with no collegiate ambitions until coach Bob Blackman recruited him for football. Majoring in physics, Gordy received his master’s in physics from Brown and an LL.B. from Harvard. His career spanned the practice of intellectual property law and publishing with Byte Publications (with Virginia), acquired by McGraw-Hill. The couple traveled widely to the 49 continental states and a few foreign countries. In retirement he founded a nonprofit organization supporting artisans in Rwanda, authored a career guide for young lawyers, and volunteered his time for the Dartmouth athletics department. Local newspaper reporter Bruce Wood, who covered Dartmouth football, described Gordy as “a brilliant, eccentric man, a very dedicated Dartmouth fan and friend.” His wonderfully wicked sense of humor was on display in his contribution to the 50th-reunion yearbook, which consisted of 47 four-line stanzas. Samples include, “In 1958 when I arrived in Hanover: I didn’t know much about anything. Fifty-four years later: I usually can identify Shinola” and “In 1958 when I arrived in Hanover: I loaned Steve Roth 25 cents. Fifty-four years later: The accrued interest is enormous.”