Trapp, Gordon Earl 

94 01/07/1915 09/06/2009 Gordon Trapp passed from this earth Sept. 
6, 2009, at age 94. Gordon was born Jan. 7, 1915, in Colorado 
Springs, Colo. He was fortunate to serve as a summer apprentice in 
an architect's office at age 12. He later graduated from Los Angeles 
Polytechnic High School and the University of California at 
Berkeley, Calif. Gordon graduated with architecture and engineering 
degrees in 1940. He served with honor in the U.S. Army Air Corps 
during World War II in the Pacific theater. Gordon moved to Portland 
after marrying Margaret MacRae in a small church, "Wee Kirk of The 
Heather," located in Glendale, Calif., in 1942. As a registered 
architect and engineer, Gordon worked for Pietro Belluschi, Barrett 
and Logan and Donald Edmundson. He helped Frederic Littman with the 
Council Crest Fountain. Gordon managed the architectural department 
of Stevens, Thompson & Runyon for several years. He served as a Boy 
Scout troop leader, Sunday school teacher and was a member of the 
Multnomah Planning Commission for 10 years. His designs still endure 
as seen at the Oregon City elevator and the Sea Lion Caves elevator 
in North Bend. A parking structure at the University of Oregon 
Medical School, as well as several fire stations and swimming pools 
are some other notable accomplishments. Gordon was a member of the 
Portland Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. He joined 
the Valley Community Presbyterian Church in 1950. In 1947, Gordon 
designed and built his own home, doing most of the construction at 
night after work and on weekends. With the help of his children, 
they expanded the living quarters during the '60s, thus making it a 
whole family project. Gordon's beautiful stone fireplace was enjoyed 
immensely by everyone that visited. Every year he designed and 
handcrafted a different Christmas card to share with family and 
friends. He enjoyed his beautiful patio flower garden annually, 
always with a different design, of course. He designed and built his 
own electric car that was donated to a local high school for their 
automotive department. Gordon and his wife, Margaret, enjoyed tennis 
together in their younger years, with annual travels to the warm 
climate of the desert. Gordon Trapp is survived by his wife of 67 
years, Margaret MacRae; four children, Gordon A. Trapp (Janet) of 
Beaverton; Peter Trapp (Debbie) of Alexander, Va., Nancy Trapp-White 
(Marty) of Portland and Clyde Trapp (JoAnn) of Canby; and six 
grandchildren, Patti, David, Benjamin, Christopher, Katie and Emily. 
Private family services have been held. Remembrances in Gordon's 
name may go either to the Salvation Army; an architectural student 
scholarship fund of your choice; Willamette Falls Hospice; or Legacy 
Hopewell House Hospice. Services entrusted to Wilhelm's Portland 
Memorial Funeral Home.

Published in The Oregonian on September 9, 2009