Gordon Yoder, associate director emeritus of college relations, dies at 97

Gordon Yoder, associate director emeritus of college relations for Goshen College, died Monday, January 30, 2023. He was 97 years old.

Yoder began working at Goshen College in the Office of College Development in 1972 and was part of the team that began the college’s endowment program. He dedicated decades of his life to furthering the college’s mission through fundraising. In his role, Yoder developed relationships with alumni and friends interested in giving financially to Goshen College. Yoder retired from Goshen College in 2004 after 32 years of service.

Todd Yoder, vice president for institutional advancement, said, “Early in my career at Goshen College, I received advice on how to be a major gifts officer: ‘Just do everything the way Gordon Yoder would do it.’ As I grew to know Gordy and his body of work in his career at Goshen College, I learned that this meant to be courageous and bold, work hard and love your job, and remember to be kind, friendly and funny.  He was a tireless and joyful fundraiser for the college and helped countless families fulfill their philanthropic goals through support of Goshen College.

“Moreover, everyone considered Gordy to be a friend, insisting that he stay in their home when he traveled or share a meal with them — a little out of love for GC, but mostly because they loved Gordon’s company. Always quick with a signature corny joke or a kind word of support, he was part of the advancement team long after retiring, sharing stories and giving counsel even up to his final week.”

The Yoder family were also supporters of Goshen College through endowed funds. In 1971, Yoder’s son, Mike, died in a car crash when he was a senior in high school. The Yoder family established the “Mike Yoder Memorial Endowment for Marine Biology” in 1974. Recently, Yoder continued his support of the college’s marine science program with a significant gift in Mike’s memory to help fund needed renovations and repairs to the J.N. Roth Marine Biology Station in Layton, Florida.

Yoder was born on September 29, 1925, in Columbiana, Ohio to Noah B. and Florence Yoder. Upon graduating high school in 1943, Yoder served in the U.S. Navy from 1943-46 as a signalman. Following his military service he attended Goshen College from 1947-48 but left to begin working at St. Joe Valley Bank, where he worked for 18 years. He married Esther A. Detwiler ’48 on October 1, 1948.

Yoder is survived by three children, Diane (Bob) Hershberger, and Sanford (Julie) Yoder, both of Elkhart, and Thomas (Margaret Delaney) Yoder ’82 of Grand Junction, Colorado; six grandchildren, Jason Hershberger, Jaime Hershberger, Jordan (Destiny Behny) Hershberger, Jennifer (Jordan Shaw) Hershberger, Katy (Ben) Holdread and Kelly (Josh) Hooley; and five great-grandchildren, Taylor and Violet Holdread, Hudson and Maven Hooley, and Trig Hershberger.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a son, Michael Yoder; and a brother, William Yoder ’43.

Yoder was a member of College Mennonite Church, where services will be held at a later date. Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen, is handling arrangements. Memorial gifts may be directed to the Goshen College Marine Biology Program.