Dr. Gordon Drew Gill

Gordon was born in Ishpeming, MI on February 24, 1928 to George and Jane (Drew) Gill and lived there until 1950. He graduated from Ishpeming High School in 1946 and attended Northern Michigan University (B.A., 1950), the University of Michigan (M.A., 1951) and Washington State University (Ph.D., 1959). At the advanced level he specialized in entomology and microbiology.

While at the University of Michigan in 1950, Gordon was commissioned as a medical entomologist in the Medical Service of the Air Force. He served on active duty from 1951 to 1954, principally in research at the Arctic Aeromedical Research Laboratory in Fairbanks, AK. After his tour of active duty he served in the Air Force Reserve until his discharge at the grade of Captain in 1965. From 1957 he was active with the Marquette unit of the Air Force Reserve until the unit was disbanded shortly before his discharge.

In June of 1951 Gordon married Janice Cawthorne Coles and together they raised three children. Throughout their lives both Janice and Gordon enjoyed camping and being in the woods. They especially looked forward each year to deer hunting in their primitive cabin in western Alger County. Gordon enjoyed hunting small game with his beagle hounds and cocker spaniel. During his retirement Gordon pursued a hobby of forest and wildlife management.

Gordon joined the faculty of the Department of Biology at Northern Michigan University in 1957 and retired in 1984. He was the author or co-author of numerous scientific articles, mostly in the field of entomology. For many years Dr. Gill was listed with the Entomological Society of America as a registered professional entomologist. He discovered and named more than a dozen new species of flies from North America. The Michigan Academy of Science, Arts and Letters extended a commendation to Dr. Gill in recognition of his research activities.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Janice; daughter, Cynthia Butler of Marquette; two sons, Steven of Palouse, WA and Thomas (Nancy) of Frederic, WI; six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren (with an eighth due in May); and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Carl and George; and his sister, Barbara.

Per Gordon’s request no services will be held. His family is honoring this request.

The Canale-Tonella Funeral Home is assisting the Gill family where memories of Gordon may be shared at canalefuneral.com