Bro. Rudolph G. Gordon passes into Omega Chapter

Simpsonville, South Carolina - It is with deep regret that we inform you that Bro. Rudolph Giles Gordon, Sr. passed into Omega chapter at around 2:00 am on February 23, 2012. Bro. Gordon had suffered from kidney cancer for a number of years. Dr. Gordon was 74 years old. Dr. Gordon, a native of Kingstree, South Carolina, was born on October 21, 1937. Dr. Gordon received a doctorate in education from the University of South Carolina, a master's degree in education from South Carolina State College, and a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Benedict College, in 1959.

Bro. Gordon was initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. on November 1, 1955 in the Gamma Pi Chapter at Benedict College, making him a 56 Year Brother in Alpha. In December, Bro. Gordon was named as a 2011 South Carolina District of Alphas Living Legend.

In April 1996, Bro. Gordon was named the second African-American Superintendent for Greenville County, becoming the district's seventh superintendent since consolidation in 1952. The School District of Greenville County is the largest school district in South Carolina and the 66th largest in the nation serving approximately 66,000 students. Under his tenure, the district embarked on a building project that would include the renovation or construction of all schools over the following 15 years. He served with great distinction and is well respected across the state for his leadership. He retired as Superintendent in 2000.

In his forty-year career in Education, Bro. Gordon had a tremendous influence on Gamma Gamma Lambda Chapter, the Greenville Community and the State of South Carolina. He served in Greenville County School since 1959 and began as a mathematics teacher at Bryson High School in Fountain Inn and served as principal of Beck Middle School and J. L. Mann High School. He served in various administrative roles, including assistant area superintendent of the Southwest and Northeast Areas and as an associate superintendent for administration, during the 1960's, 70's, and 80's. Bro. Gordon had the honor of having an elementary school, Rudolph G. Gordon Elementary School, named after him in 2008.

Dr. Gordon served on many governing boards for several community organizations including the Erskine College Board of Trustees, Community Foundation of Greenville Board of Directors, United Methodist Church Southeastern Jurisdictional Building Committee, John Wesley United Methodist Church Administrative Council, Benedict College National Alumni Association Board of Directors, Greenville University Center Board of Visitors, Greenville County Public Defender Board, and Greenville Federal Credit Union Board of Directors. He also was an active member of John Wesley United Methodist Church located in Greenville, South Carolina.

Dr. Gordon previously served as chairman of the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Council on Ministries for the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, South Carolina PTA Board, Phillis Wheatley Community Center Board, the Junior League of Greenville Advisory Board, Salvation Army Board, Greenville Chapter of Big Brothers of America Board, Greenville County Public Library Board, Greenville Tech Foundation Board, Urban League of the Upstate Board of Directors, Governor's School of the Arts and Humanities Board of Directors, Greenville Little Theatre Board of Directors, Greenville Technical College Board, United Way of Greenville Board of Directors, and Blue Ridge Boy Scouts Council.

Dr. Gordon is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and a Member of Delta Beta Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. He is the recipient of several awards including; Greater Greenville Ruth Nicholson Award, The Order of the Silver Crescent, South Carolina Administrator of the Year, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Martin Luther King Citizenship Award, and the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education Distinguished Alumni Award.

Dr. Gordon was born to the late Robert and Rosalee Gordon in Williamsburg County, the oldest of five children. His parents raised him and his siblings in Bethesda Methodist Church, where a strong foundation was laid that would direct his work and his life. During his first year of teaching he met master teacher, Corine Smith, and they married in 1960. They raised two children, Rudolph Jr. who passed away, a young student of Architecture; and Melanie, who serves as Director of Ministry with Children for the general church of the United Methodist Church in America. Corine, the love of Dr. Gordon’s life, passed away after nearly 48 years of marriage.

He is survived by his Daughter (Melanie) and his two sisters (Joyce, Jo Emily) and two brothers (Robert, William G.) and a host of cousins, nephews, and nieces.