After a brave fight against cancer, longtime Standardbred owner and friend to harness racing Gordon Rumpel of Calgary, Alta. passed away on Monday, December 8 at the age of 85.
Gordon Rumpel is most frequently associated with two Hall of Fame pacers: On The Road Again and Matts Scooter.
Survived by son Glen (Erin); grandchildren Sara (Kyle), Matthew, Lucas and his great-grandson Henry. Gord was predeceased by his wife Illa and his son Jimmy.
Charles Juravinski, Illa Rumpel, Gord Rumpel, Harry Poulton, Mike Lachance and Matts Scooter
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Gordon Rumpel.
The contents of Rumpel's obituary, which include details regarding visitation, appear below.
RUMPEL, Gordon Henry
September 9, 1929 – Regina, Saskatchewan
December 9, 2014 – Calgary, Alberta
Gordon ‘Gord’ Rumpel of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at the age of 85 years at the Chinook Hospice with his loving son, Glen, by his side.
Gordon was born in Regina to Emily Augusta and Earnest William Rumpel. He spent a large part of his life in the car business, he started washing cars when he was 13 and never stopped for the rest of his life. Gordon was the owner of Stampede Pontiac from 1972 to 1988.
His other love was the Standardbred horse business and had two world champion horses that were both inducted into the Horseman's Hall of Fame. Gordon summed up his life saying his success's came from what he learned in AA and he was very grateful for how the program changed his life.
Gordon leaves his son Glen (Erin), grandchildren, Sara (Kyle), Matthew, Lucas (Courtney) and his great-grandson Henry. Gordon was predeceased by his wife Illa, and son Jimmy.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made directly to Fresh Start Recovery Centre (411 – 41 Avenue N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 2N4).
We are very grateful for the love and care Magdalena Domeyeg gave both Illa and Gordon. The family would like to thank the Special Care Unit 3rd Floor at the Foothill's Hospital. A special thanks to Dr. Tim Pollack. We would also like to thank the staff at the Chinook Hospice.
Family and Friends are invited to Celebrate Gordon's Life at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive S.W. Calgary, AB) on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. Condolences may be forwarded through mcinnisandholloway.com.
In living memory of Gordon Rumpel, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park.