Teacher farewelled after long cancer fight
A much-loved master at Auckland Grammar School has died 10 years after being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer.
Economics teacher Rodney Gordon died peacefully at home on Monday, aged 55.
His funeral was held yesterday at the boys’ high school in Epsom where he taught for three decades.
AGS headmaster Tim O’Connor described Gordon as “a positive, giving teacher who really saw the best in everyone — he was admired by students and staff alike”.
“[He was] courageous, and humble in the sense that he never wanted the limelight”.
Many former students have posted to social media remembering Gordon as an excellent economics teacher who made classes enjoyable, as well as a top sportsman and important figure in the school’s sporting life.
O’Connor said Gordon rarely took time off even when very ill, instead timing big doses of treatment for the school holidays, and schedule radiation and chemotherapy so he would be feeling worst over the weekend rather than during school.
“I think teaching and being present at Grammar gave him a sense of normality and energy,” O’Connor said. “He was very determined to carry on teaching.”
This year was Gordon’s 31st year at the school. Despite being ill he still believed he could beat the disease.
But by the middle of Term 1, O’Connor had to convince him not to come to work.
When Gordon agreed, “that I guess was a telling sign for us because of just how totally independent he was and how determined he was to continue as normal”.
Gordon was 45 when he had his first prostate check, and doctors found an aggressive tumour the size of a walnut. It spread rapidly and he was given a couple of years to live.
But while in the United States with Grammar’s cross-country team, he sought a second opinion from oncologists.
The radiation treatment they recommended would cost $38,000, which Gordon planned to fund by mortgaging his house.
But the school, students and alumni fundraised to help pay for his treatment.
A Givealittle page has raised more than $70,000 over the years, with funds going towards numerous radiation and chemotherapy treatments, many of them cutting-edge.
Debbie Burridge, who set up the Rodney Gordon Trust, said that money undoubtedly extended Gordon’s life, as did his “incredible attitude and bravery” and gave his family and his young sons an extra 10 years with their dad.
Both sons attended Auckland Grammar.
Burridge and Gordon’s wife Sue also believed his journey helped change prostate cancer treatment in New Zealand; the cutting-edge drugs and therapies he went through are now available more widely here.
Burridge first knew Gordon as her son’s teacher and sports coach.
She said he was very modest, and the students always came first.
But he was not an orthodox Grammar teacher, either.
“He was a bit quirky and different — probably that’s part of why he was so loved as well.”
Yesterday’s funeral was “huge”, she said.
In lieu of flowers, people could contribute to the Rodney Gordon Trust. Those funds would go toward funeral costs, Burridge said.