We, Rupert and Linda Barnes, lived next to Gordon and
Roxanna in the early days of the Kemper building in the famous filing cabinet
suites. Often, in the evening, after our
progeny had been tucked into their respective filing cabinet cubbies,
aromatic pipe smoke would waft over the
top and between the cracks of the filing cabinets into our neighboring suite. One could hear Gordon rustling through papers
or quietly commenting to Roxana about something read in the New York Times. That was my first brief acquaintance
with the Harper clan as they were rapidly whisked off to Taiwan and India and only
much later were the Barnes and the
Harpers to reacquaint through the marriage of Elena Harper and Daudi
Barnes.
Over the years we have had the privilege of interacting with
Gordon and Roxanna through family gatherings and as grandchildren wove their
way into our families. A prodigious
mind, ever inquisitive, ever mindful of the uniqueness of the spirit movement,
grounded in the Order Ecumenical, ironic to a fault. A father and grandfather of loving
objectivity, a colleague and a dear friend.
We experience loss at this moment, but we will remember you Gordon in fullness as a warrior for justice and
humanity. Thank you for passing our way on
this amazing journey.
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