22 Jul 1939- 15 Jul 2022

Place of Death: Portland, OR

It is with great regret and sorrow that I must notify you of the death of our classmate, Gary Lord, on July 15, 2022, in Portland, OR.

Gary is survived by his wife, Ruth; their son, Bradford and his wife Jana; their daughter, Kristin Gundersen and her husband Joel; their daughter, Kelleen Deboni; their son, Reese and his wife Jennifer; and grandchildren James, Gabrielle, Alice, Collin, Lucy, Ryan, and Penelope.

A memorial mass will be celebrated at 10 AM, July 29, 2022 at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, 4112 SW 6th Avenue Dr, Portland, OR  97239.

Gary donated his body to science research.

Condolences may be sent to Ruth at 841 SW Gaines Street, # 103, Portland, OR  97239-3062.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gary’s memory may be sent to Knight Cancer Research Center, South Waterfront Campus, 3485 S Bond Avenue, Portland, OR  97239.

Well done, Gary.  Be thou at peace.

Remembrances:

Class Memorial Pages\K-1 Gary Lord.pdf

Obituaries:

Assembly/Taps Memorial Article:

Gary R. Lord 1961

Cullum No. 23380-1961 | July 15, 2022 | Died in Portland, OR
Cremated.

Born on July 22, 1939 in Ellenville, NY to Joe and Thelma Lord, Gary Reese Lord moved to Potsdam, NY for junior high and graduated third in his class from Potsdam High School in 1957. He participated in many of the schools’ athletic programs and was active in student government. It was here that his love of winter sports began, including skiing and ice hockey. Knowing that Gary planned to continue his education, his guidance counselor suggested he apply to the United States Military Academy. Once he found out that he could get a “free” education, Gary quickly took the Civil Service Exam and secured an “alternate” appointment. In early June, he received a phone call telling him that if he could be there by the end of the month, he was in. Gary jumped at the chance! 

He was assigned to Company K-1, where he made many lifelong friends. One of his favorite activities at West Point was competing on the Ski Team. During a long spring-leave weekend in 1961, Gary used a car he had stashed off Post to travel to Indiana to see his lifelong best friend, “Ruthie.” During this visit, they planned to take their friendship to the next level. He returned to West Point, graduated in June (in the top 100 of the class), and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Gary then “sealed the deal” when he married the love of his life, Ruth Ann Putnam, in July 1961.

Gary served on active duty for 27 years. His first assignment was with the 307th Engineer Construction Battalion at Fort Bragg, NC, where they welcomed their first child, Bradford (1963). Gary then served in Thailand with the 809th Engineer Battalion, building the Friendship Highway. Next, he attended the University of Illinois, where he received his master’s degree in civil engineering and daughter Kristin joined the family (1966). 

When Gary was assigned to the Army Office of the Chief of Legislative Liaison at the Pentagon in 1976, the family moved to the Alexandria, VA area. Next, the family moved to Fort Leonard Wood, MO, where Gary commanded the Engineer Heavy Construction Training Battalion. 

Following command, the family moved to Heidelberg, Germany in 1979, where Gary served as the chief of military construction for U.S. Army Europe. Returning to the U.S., Gary attended the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, PA in 1981 and then became deputy commander for the South Pacific Corps of Engineers (San Francisco) Division, receiving a promotion to the rank of colonel. His following assignment in 1985 would turn out to be his last and best. As commander of the Portland (Oregon) District of the Corps of Engineers his responsibilities included managing the West Coast dredge fleet, 12 hydropower dams, and the extensive recovery work from the Mount St. Helens eruption in 1980. Under his leadership, the district was designated as the Army’s only “Model Civil Works District.” He retired at the pinnacle of his military career in March 1988.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star with two oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster and the Vietnam Service and Republic of Vietnam Campaign medals. Gary also earned the Senior Parachutist Badge and the coveted Ranger Tab.

After his military retirement, Gary found a new and successful career in construction management. In 1988, he founded EDSI Environmental Consulting (president). He later joined VMS Construction (VP/chief operating officer) and in 1998 moved to the Phoenix, AZ area with Parsons Brinkerhoff (area manager). In 2003 he joined Kiewit Construction (business development manager and project manager of the light rail extension in Salt Lake City, UT). Gary decided in 2010 that it was time to “retire-retire” to spend time with his other passions in life: family, friends, and travel. 

Gary and Ruth enjoyed the many friendships made during his time of service in the Army, the times they were able to spend with his K-1 companymates and spouses, and the many friends in their Pebble Creek community. He also thoroughly enjoyed being able to spend time with his children: Brad (Jana), Kris (Joel), Kelly, and Reese (Jennifer); his seven grandchildren: James (Cristina), Gabrielle, Alice, Collin, Lucy, Ryan, and Penny; and his two great-grandsons, Liam and Thomas. 

As Gary was always known for his healthy and active lifestyle, his cancer diagnosis in May 2022 came as a complete shock to all. He fought like the soldier he was but lost that battle on July 15, 2022. Known for his easy, sparkling smile and vivid spirit, he will be deeply missed by all whose lives he touched. 

From Gary: West Point not only shaped my life, but the Army career also afforded me the opportunity to meet many wonderful friends with whom we stay in touch. The camaraderie of West Point classmates and other Army friends is something no other venue can provide.