Former University chaplain dead at 85

The Rev. Ernest Gordon, a former prisoner of war who was University chaplain emeritus and dean of the University Chapel from 1955 to 1981, died Wednesday morning at Princeton Medical Center. He was 85.

Gordon had an expansive career and is remembered with great warmth by his family and friends.

"He was an amazing man. I've had so many calls and e-mails and people just dropping by who he touched in so many different ways . . . from the different parts of his career," his son Alastair Gordon said.

Born in Greenock, Scotland on May 31, 1916, Gordon attended Glasgow and St. Andrews universities. In 1936 he joined the Royal Air Force and then later joined the Army Argyl and Suther-land Highlands. He left Singapore at the outbreak of World War II.

...Capt. Gordon was injured in a battle in Malaysia, and when Singa-pore surrendered to the Japanese in 1942, he and several men from his company escaped to sea. A Japanese warship later found and captured the men.

Gordon was imprisoned for three-and-a-half years. He suffered high temperatures, amoebic dysentery, jungle ulcers under his arms and legs, diphtheria, Beri Beri and the physical wounds from beatings by Japanese guards.

It was during this time in captivity that Gordon found a "central mission in his life" and dedicated himself to his faith, said his son.

"It started when he was in prison camp," his son said. "When men have nothing at all . . . faith in love and in spirit are the only things which get you through."

In 1950 Gordon was ordained in the Church of Scotland. Three years later he left his homeland for Long Island, NY., and then moved to Princeton in 1954, where he became Presbyterian Chaplain at the University. In 1955 he became dean of the chapel.

Harold Shafferman '75, who served as chapel deacon under Gordon, remembered him as a man who combined strength and compassion.

"His toughness had earned him the right to be gentle on a personal level," Shafferman said. "He was incredibly good in tuning in and understanding students, and he had this kind of tiger toughness . . . It was this wonderful blend of toughness and kindness to all students."

Gordon's story of survival and forgiveness sent "such a powerful message to students," Shafferman added.

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An outspoken member of the University community, Gordon criticized the activities of Sen. Joseph McCarthy, brought Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to campus twice and spoke against the Vietnam War.

After he retired from the University, Gordon founded the Christian Relief Effort for the Emancipation of Dissidents, which aimed to help and protect Christians in the then-Soviet Union and its Eastern bloc, his son said.

Gordon was the author of several books, most notably the 1962 publication of "Through the Valley of the Kwai," which is the basis for a film to be released later this spring. The book examines Gordon's life as a prisoner-of-war and how he forgave his captors.

Gordon is survived by his son; his daughter Gillian Crozier, of London; his sister Grace Kerr, of Ramsgate; and six grandchildren. His wife Helen died in 1997.

A funeral was held yesterday at the University Chapel, and a memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m., also at the chapel.