Gordon O. Voss

Gordon Owen Voss

Voss, Gordon “Gordy” Owen, age 79, of Wayzata, MN died on June 21, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon Oscar and Dorothy (Bullard) Voss, of Duluth, MN and a sister Betty Peterson of Cloquet, MN. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 56 years, Elaine (Voldsness) Voss, son Gregory (Kathleen) Voss of Apple Valley, MN, daughter Kirsten Voss (Charles Rottinghaus) of Minnetonka, MN, grandchildren Taylor and Rachel Voss and Carmen and Erik Rottinghaus, sister Nancy (Don) Mount of Two Harbors, MN, brother John (Bonnie) Voss of Saginaw, MN, and many nieces and nephews. He was born in Duluth, MN and attended Proctor High School, where he graduated as class valedictorian in 1956. He went on to the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities to ultimately earn a Ph.D in mechanical engineering with a minor in mathematics. After graduation, he became an assistant professor in the mechanical engineering department at the U. Soon after, his wife Elaine encouraged him to pursue civic life and he won his first election as the President of the PTA at Jefferson Elementary School in Blaine, MN, the city they called home for 38 years. From this inauspicious beginning in public service, Gordy realized his calling to help make people’s lives better and embarked on an impressive career in elected office. He was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1972 and reelected for eight more terms, ending in 1988. As a state legislator, he was particularly invested in applying technology to public policy—focusing on energy conservation and alternative resource development, water policy, nuclear waste and hazardous waste management. Throughout his tenure at the Capital, he intermittently chaired the Tax Committee, Appropriations Committee, the Energy and Housing Committee and the Metropolitan and Local Affairs Committee. Gordy also brought his vision and expertise to the national stage, receiving two Presidential appointments: the Presidents Science Advisory Committee and the State and Local Science Advisory Committee on Science and Nuclear Waste. He was chief author of several energy programs in Minnesota. He also authored the legislation that created the National Sports Center in Blaine, which today is the largest amateur sports facility in the world. Upon leaving the state legislature, Gordy was Chief Administrator of the Minnesota Metropolitan Waste Control Commission (MMWCC). After his official service ended at MMWCC in 1994, he continued to contribute by consulting for many years. Gordy’s public life was driven by his concern for people—first among them being his wife. Elaine and Gordy were a true team, equally matched and infinitely devoted to each other throughout their public and personal lives. They were each successful in their own right, buoyed and strengthened by their mutual support, shared interests and collaboration. Their children recall many lively public policy debates over dinner. Nothing was more important to Gordy and Elaine than family. They traveled extensively across the globe but they especially relished time at the cabin spent with their children and grandchildren. During retirement, Gordy enjoyed attending all of his grandchildren’s artistic and sporting events—and lending his very vocal support. He was a truly devoted husband, father and grandfather. Gordy and Elaine’s partnership grew even more impressive in later years where they were inseparable in the joint caregiving of each other. Elaine joyfully cared for Gordy as he faced myriad health issues in the last 15 years of his life and he, in turn, reciprocated care and support for her until his death. He loved tending to his large garden and apple trees along with making homemade bread, ice cream, fudge and apple crisp. Fittingly, his favorite holiday was the 4th of July, where a large fireworks display always took center stage—a testament to his spectacular life filled with unwavering devotion to his wife, family and public service. A visitation will be held 4 – 7 PM July 5 at Gearty Delmore Funeral Chapel in Plymouth. The Memorial service will be 11 AM July 6, at Peace Lutheran Church in Coon Rapids with one hour before for visitation. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Gordy’s name be directed to LifeSource (Upper Midwest tissue and organ procurement center), 2225 West River Road N., Mpls, 55411 or go to www.life-source.org or to the Swenson College of Engineering and Design – Voss Memorial, 140 Engineering Building, 1303 Ordean Court, Duluth, MN 55812, this is a scholarship fund that was established in the engineering department of UMD in the name of Gordon’s father.

Visitation one hour prior to the service.

Wednesday, July 5, 2017 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM

Gearty-Delmore Plymouth Chapel 15800 37th Avenue North Plymouth, MN 55446

Thursday, July 6, 2017 11:00 AM

Peace Lutheran Church 20 Northdale Blvd NW Coon Rapids, MN

Visitation one hour prior to the service.