Gordon Von Stroh, professor in the Department of Management at the Daniels College of Business, died March 14 of complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He was 69. Von Stroh was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, last summer.
Von Stroh joined the University as a professor of administration in 1967. He also was the longtime leader of DU’s Commencement committee, preparing each year to usher new graduates across the stage and into the DU alumni community. He was director of the MBA-customized program and the master’s of management program in the Daniels College.
Von Stroh was well known in Colorado for his quarterly apartment vacancy and rent surveys produced for the Apartment Association of Metro Denver and the Colorado Division of Housing. The reports were used by apartment owners, developers, analysts and news reporters for more than 30 years.
In recognition of his outstanding service to the University of Denver, the community and the professorial profession, Von Stroh received the first Faculty Service Award at DU’s Convocation in October 2009.
“We will miss his wit, his wisdom and his great gift of student connection,” Daniels Dean Christine Riordan said in a statement. “Gordon and his family will continue to be a source of inspiration to our students, faculty, staff, alumni and corporate leaders around the globe.”
In addition to his work on numerous committees across campus, Von Stroh served in leadership positions for Rocky Mountain Communities, the Central City Opera, Cherokee Ranch and Castle Foundation, Rocky Mountain Mutual Housing, the Denver and Southwest Denver Chambers of Commerce, the Highlands Ranch Development Revenue Committee and the Highlands Ranch Communication Association Development Review Committee.
He is survived by his wife, Patrice Von Stroh (MA ’91, PhD ’98), and children Christina Von Stroh (BS ’01, MA ’03, MBA ’03), Jonathan Von Stroh (MS ’05, MBA ’05, PhD ’10) and Justin Von Stroh (JD ’08, MS ’09).
A celebration of Von Stroh’s life will be held at 1 p.m. March 22 at Augustana Lutheran Church, 5000 E. Alameda Ave., Denver.