Gordon Rollo Papritz

Gordon Rollo Papritz, 94, of Port Townsend Washington, passed away peacefully at his home on March 29, 2025. Gordon is survived by his four children, twelve grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and his brother, Rawhide Papritz. Gordon was born in Mukilteo, Washington, on March 12,1931, to Carl & Maybelle Papritz. He was one of eight children. After graduating from Everett High School in 1949, Gordon received an NROTC scholarship to the University of Washington, where he graduated with a teaching degree in geography and English. As a great reader of American history, Gordon had long admired the explorations of Lewis and Clark. Along with a good friend from the university, Gordon took the summer off and decided to follow the Missouri River as part of the famed expedition’s journey. He acquired a small river boat with a 3-hp motor and proceeded downriver for the next 500 miles. He considered it one of the great early adventures of his life.

After graduation, Gordon started his career as a naval officer, serving as a navigator on destroyers based out of the San Diego Naval Base. His tour of duty included six-month cruises in the South Pacific and Sea of Japan. He would go on to serve in the naval reserves for the next 30 years, eventually achieving the rank of Commander.

While on duty in Japan, Gordon attended an officer’s dance. During the dance, his dance partner asked what he wanted to do with life after service. He replied, “I want to travel the world, own my own business, and fly my own plane.” As Gordon later recalled, she laughed politely and moved on to another dance partner. But in the end, he was true to his dreams.

Gordon was married to Norma-Jean Jorgensen on June 5, 1955, in Seattle, Washington. He continued his active-duty service until 1957, when he, his wife, and newborn daughter, moved to Port Townsend, Washington. Growing up in Mukilteo, Gordon often took the local ferries to the Olympic Peninsula to hike and explore the area. He often told his family and friends that he would someday live in Port Townsend. That dream came true when became a teacher at Port Townsend High School, teaching geography, English, debate, and government.

During his teaching tenure, Gordon worked in local real estate offices during the summer, eventually deciding to leave teaching and set up his own real estate business. Western Shores Real Estate was established in 1962 and became a recognized part of the Port Townsend business community for over 25 years.

Gordon’s second life dream became a reality when he earned his private pilot’s license. He achieved this goal in 1959, buying his first plane, a Piper Cub J3 with cloth wings and fuselage.

Incorporating his passion for flying with his real estate business, he often showed clients properties and acreage from the air. Over his career, he would continue to upgrade his airplanes, finally owning his dream plane, the 4-seater, Piper Cherokee Challenger.

Gordon continued his love of the outdoors, taking his wife and children hiking and camping in Western Washington, and boating through the Puget Sound and San Juan Islands. Eventually, he made his way back to his love of sailing with his 50-foot sailboat named “Pushpa.”

Gordon was an active member of Kiwanis, Elks, and the American Legion. During his college years, he sang in the UW chorus, which resulted in his becoming part of a local barbershop quartet for many years. Sometimes he would even sing at weddings. Often, his crooning tenor voice was mistaken for either Perry Como or Dean Martin. He would deny both.

His love of music and community was also seen in his long-time support for the Port Townsend Symphony Orchestra. He also continued his support for the local high school he once taught at by creating scholarships for graduating students.

Even after his children had moved on and while still in business, Gordon’s continued love of travel kept him busy visiting such countries as the Soviet Union, New Zealand, and Turkey.

Upon selling his real estate business, Gordon’s travel bug really took hold as he voraciously travelled around the world, visiting over 80 countries and all 50 states. In his living room at home, he had a map of the world in which he had pushpins in every country and city he visited. By the time he was in his eighties, the map was richly covered in pushpins from every continent.

During this travel period of his life, Gordon purchased a motor home and drove all around the United States but would always return to Port Townsend in the spring because of his love for the beautiful Northwest summers.

The last ten years were spent enjoying time with family and friends at community concerts, hiking in the Olympics and at Fort Worden, and bicycling around town.

Gordon Papritz lived a full rich life, and truly was a man for all seasons. He saw his life dreams come true and lived in the town of his dreams. What more could a man ask for?

Gordon will be buried with military honors at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent Washington. (He wanted to be buried at Fort Worden but there apparently was no room at our local military cemetery.)

Services will be held at the Port Ludlow Community Church on Tuesday, April 29, at 12:30 p.m., with a reception to be held at The Resort at Port Ludlow. All who knew Gordon will be welcomed.

For those who would like to honor his memory, please donate to the Gordon R. Papritz Scholarship Fund which helps Port Townsend High School graduating students. Please contact Lois Sherwood at lolo.sherwood@gmail.com, or the PTHS Scholarship Foundation, P.O Box 1658, Port Townsend, WA, 98368. Donations can also be made to the Port Townsend Symphony orchestra at contact@PTSymphony.org.