Gordon Stanley Block,78, of Asbury, IA, passed away unexpectedly on September 29, 2021. No public visitation or service will be held, private burial will be in Linwood Cemetery.
Gordon was born in Dubuque, IA on February 9, 1943 to Stanley and Ruth (Polsean) Block. He grew up in Dubuque, graduating from Senior High in 1961. He married Joan E. Maulson on July 17, 1964. They have two daughters, Laura and Amy.
Gordon began his professional career at Spahn and Rose Lumber Company as a draftsman and through his hard work, advanced his career in the farm building & hardware industry and had numerous opportunities throughout Iowa and Illinois. He was always on the move. Gordon chose to give up the corporate world in the late 80’s and settled back to Dubuque. He began his own design service, Castlewood Designs. He quickly became very well-known and respected in the industry, designing homes for many people throughout the Tri State area. He was a pioneer in the industry using a computer program known as CAD. When Gordon decided to retire, he and Joan enjoyed taking bus tour trips across the country. He was always excited to visit new destinations and learn the history of the cities that they visited. Gordon also took his hobby, model railroading, to the next level and beyond. He expanded his one room train layout and eventually took over the entire basement, creating a multi city, multi-line railroad work of art. As with everything that he did, he put his entire heart and soul into his hobby! He enjoyed traveling to train shows, bargaining for just the right engine, hosting “ops sessions” at his home and showing off the latest “scratch” built building he created. Most times if you called Gordon, he was “downstairs playing trains”.
Gordon is survived by his wife Joan, his two daughters, Laura (Jon) Kramer of Mesa, AZ, Amy (Joe) Clasen of LaMotte, IA, two grandchildren, Ben Kramer (Prescott, AZ) and Morgan Kramer (Gilbert, AZ). Two sisters, Ann Herr of Holy Cross, IA and Carol Small of Bernard, IA., along with many nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Francis Brooks.
Donations to the Asbury Fire Department may be made in his memory.
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