Obituary of Gordon F. Mixdorf

Gordon Frank Mixdorf, age 81, of Iowa City, Iowa passed away surrounded by family on Monday, October 3rd, 2016. Gordon was born on May 21st, 1935 in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from Iowa State Teachers College (now University of Northern Iowa) with both bachelors and masters degree in 1958 and 1959. He obtained his doctorate in Education from the University of Iowa in 1976. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary and their children; Jeff Mixdorf of Seattle, Washington, Erin (Greg) Hume of Arlington, Virginia and Greg Mixdorf of Iowa City, Iowa. He was Grandfather to Zach, Nathan, Myra, Justin, Ayla and Chris and Great Grandfather to Aria. He is also survived by a sister, Marlys Sowers of Postville, Iowa. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bert and Isabel Mixdorf and his in laws Harold and Margaret Higgins. Gordon taught in the Cedar Rapids Public Schools, the Men’s Reformatory Night School, the University Lab School and the Iowa City Community School District. At Iowa City West High and Northwest Jr. High he established the Model United Nations Club in addition to sponsoring the Mock Trial Club and Public Issue Forum. He helped students get involved in state, local and national politics, voting and elections. After retiring he continued his passion for education by tutoring West High Students and University of Iowa Student Athletes. He once said, “My philosophy is that I want people to learn a lot and apply what they have learned. I want people to succeed.” His students will remember him as a tough teacher but one that had a long lasting impact on their learning lives. Gordon was active in the community and church. He was a member of the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce, the Iowa City-Johnson County United Nations Association, the NAACP, the U of I Alumni Association as well as the Johnson County I –Club. He was a member of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder and numerous committees. Travel was important to Gordon and Mary whether it was traveling across the country with their children and grandchildren during the summer and winter holidays or traveling to bowl games with lifelong tailgating friends. He saw a good part of the U.S. traveling in the summer starting with tent camping and progressing to campers of various sizes before experiencing the convenience of motor home travel. The motor home also was part of football tailgates for many, many years. When driving became too difficult, cruising became the way to see the world. Gordon and Mary vacationed on many cruises. A lifelong Hawkeye fan, Gordon could often be found courtside at Men’s and Women’s basketball games and tailgating at every football game. He has been honored for being a season ticket holder for over 40 years. In addition to his regular season ticket events, he would be cheering on his student athletes in softball, soccer, wrestling, etc.! In retirement he volunteered as an Ambassador at the University of Iowa Hall of Fame. One of his duties, in addition to greeting and assisting visitors, would be assisting groups of school children complete a Hawkeye scavenger hunt. He loved being a Hawkeye. Gordon‘s Hawkeye spirit was so great that in lieu of goodbye he always said a spirited “Go Hawks!”