Gordon R. Stauffer – January 25, 2025

Gordon R. Stauffer 92, of Dover passed away peacefully at the Ohio’s Hospice Truman House, in New Philadelphia, Saturday, January 25, 2025.

Gordon was born on January 17, 1933, in Sugarcreek, Ohio, to the late Daniel and Ruth (Barthlemeh) Stauffer. He was a 1951 graduate of Sugarcreek Shanesville High School (now Garaway High School). Gordon started his pursuit of higher education at Heidelberg University and then transferred to California State University, earning his bachelor’s degree in Biology. He continued his studies at The Ohio State University, where he obtained a master’s degree in Bacteriology. His passion for science led him to Johns Hopkins University, where he studied Public Health and Immunology. He later enrolled in a doctoral program, conducting cancer research at Sloan Kettering. Gordon also proudly served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps for two years, stationed in 1956 at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and in 1957 at the 1st U.S. Army Medical Labs in New York City.

On June 17, 1961, Gordon married the love of his life, Eilene Reidenbach. He began his science teaching career at Tuscarawas Valley High School in the fall of 1961. Despite his busy family life, Gordon remained committed to lifelong learning, attending science courses and symposiums across the country. He furthered his education at Akron University, Kent State University, and Ohio Agricultural Research & Development College in Wooster, Ohio. Gordon’s dedication to science education extended to mentoring young scientists as a high school science project judge at the College of Wooster. In 1967, he was chosen High School Teacher of the Year by the Ohio Academy of Science, University of Dayton.

Gordon accepted a teaching position at New Philadelphia High School in 1968. In the summer of 1970, he and his family traveled to the University of California, Berkeley, to study the “Harvard Project Physics” program. Inspired by this experience, Gordon implemented the program at New Philadelphia High School, earning a grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation to establish the High School Science Research Institute. This summer program brought students from across the county together to conduct scientific research. Gordon also wrote and self published the book Scientific Research Projects for High School Students, which was sold nationwide, marking a significant milestone in his career.

A passionate educator, Gordon found joy in experimenting, researching, and inspiring students to reach their full potential. Even in retirement, he continued to share ideas about cancer research. In 1985, he retired from New Philadelphia High School, but continued teaching Biology at Kent State Tuscarawas until 1988.

Beyond teaching, Gordon worked as a lab technician for the Ohio Swiss Cheese Association and spent summers painting for Leo Zorzi and working for Charlie Deeds at Snyder Manufacturing, conducting lab tests for medivacs. Additionally, he owned and maintained several rental properties, many of which he and Eilene refurbished or built themselves.

Gordon was a devout member of Jerusalem Church and the Home Church of Jesus Christ, where he served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. He was also a member of the Tuscarawas County Retired Teachers Association.

He is survived by his wife, Eilene, to whom he was married for 63 years; two children, Brenda (Jeff) Cameron, Kevin (Denise) Stauffer; five grandchildren; Daniel (Markkie) Kimble, Abbey (Taylor) Barnett, Grant (Payton) Kimble, Emily Kimble, and Brianna Stauffer; five great grandchildren, sister-in-law, Sharon Stauffer, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by parents, Daniel and Ruth Stauffer, siblings; Dean Stauffer, Doyle and Carmi Stauffer, Paul and Lauretta (Stauffer) Zesiger; and in-laws, Raymond and Anna Reidenbach.

The family will greet guests at the Smith-Varns Funeral Home in Sugarcreek, Friday, January 31, 2025 from 5pm- 7pm. A celebration of life service will be Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 11am, Rev. Dr. Tom Hendershot officiating. Burial to follow at the Union Hill Cemetery.

Memorial contributions, instead of flowers, can be made to Ohio’s Hospice Truman House, 716 Commercial Ave SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, or Jerusalem Church, 1417 Stonecreek Rd SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.