Gordon H. Ewen

FUNERAL HOME

Wm. H. Scott Funeral Home

1100 Greenleaf Ave

Wilmette, Illinois

Gordon Ewen Obituary

Ewen, Gordon H. age 93, of Winnetka, formerly of Wilmette, died February 27, 2009. Husband of the late Mary Lyon Ewen for nearly 63 years, father of William L. (Katherine) Ewen, Camilla E. (John) Durbin and Malcolm D. Ewen, grandfather of five and great-grandfather of two. He graduated from Lawrenceville School in 1933 and from Amherst College, cum laude, in 1937. In the summer of 1933, he worked at the Chicago World's Fair in the publicity department and turned his interest in writing and public relations into a lasting career. While he was at Amherst, Mr. Ewen was President of the Chi Psi lodge and the editor of the college yearbook his junior and senior years. He used these experiences to pursue various facets of journalism including owning and editing The Evanston Mail, writing for The Chicago Journal of Commerce, heading public relations for the Pure Oil Company, and writing for Commerce Magazine. Mr. Ewen served on the Executive Committee of the United States Golf Association from 1975 - 1980, was a member of the Rules of Golf Committee, the Museum Committee, and chaired the Handicap Committee, he received the USGA's Ike Grainger Award in 2000, for 25 years of volunteer service, he was the President of the Western Golf Association in 1978-1979; he was a Life-Trustee of the Evans Scholars Foundation and Chairman of the Foundation's fund-raising "Par Club", he received the Chicago District Golf Association Distinguished Service Award, he was the President of Randall House, a home on the south side for abused boys which was one of Chicago's first interracial charities, and he was the President of the Lawrence Hall School for Boys, now known as Lawrence Hall Youth Services. His belief was that one needed to expend substantial time and effort in order to achieve positive results. A memorial service will be held Friday, April 24th, 2:00 p.m., at Winnetka Congregational Church, 725 Pine St., Winnetka. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Evans Scholars Foundation, 1 Briar Road, Golf, IL 60029 or to Amherst College, P.O. Box 5000, Amherst, MA 01002-5000. Arrangements by Wm. H. Scott Funeral Home, 847-251-8200.

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Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Mar. 3, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Gordon Ewen

4 Entries

Patrick Heraty

February 25, 2023

I think of Mr. and Mrs. Ewen whenever I am back in the Wilmette area. Those fond memories are among my many blessings. Pace e bene.

Patrick Heraty
Former caddy, Indian Hill Country Club

Patrick Heraty

April 21, 2022

I heard a quote many years ago that stayed with me: "It's not what you give or take, it's what you leave behind." Mr. Ewen's humor continues to provide smiles, and his kind and generous spirit continues to inspire me. God bless.

Patrick Heraty

April 22, 2009

To the Ewen Family:

I regret that I am unable to attend the memorial service for Mr. Ewen on 24 April, 2009. As much as I tried to rework my schedule, end-of-semester responsibilities made the trip to Chicago unworkable. Be assured that I will be with you in spirit. Mr. Ewen was a hero of mine, and he has had a lasting impact on my life. As a caddy at Indian Hill throough the 1960s and up until the weekend before I got married in July, 1973, Mr. Ewen, along with Mrs. Ewen, was one of my favorite loops. My thoughts relate to both Mr. and Mrs. Ewen, but at this time I would like to say a few things about what Mr. Ewen meant to me. I can never forget his love and respect for the game of golf. It took me a while to catch on, but I came to understand that golf is a noble endeavor, bringing forth one's desire to be the best he or she could be, to compete, and to conduct oneself as a lady or gentleman at all times. Mr. Ewen's knowledge of the game and its rules, his involvement not only at Indian Hill but at golf's regional and national levels, has been an inspiration to me. One of the most valuable lessons I learned from Mr. Ewen is the importance of integrity, which he personified on the golf course. I could never break the rules of golf ... what would Mr. Ewen think of me? I have passed that lesson along to my sons, so the teachings of Gordon Ewen endure. My father was killed in a construction accident when I was 2 years old, leaving my mother with 6 children 8-years old or younger and the seventh on the way. She, and all my brothers and sisters, worked at Indian Hill Country Club in various capacities. Mr. and Mrs. Ewen, like all of the good people at IHCC, took a personal interest in our family and helped us in countless ways. Mr. Ewen played a role in the Evans Scholarship that my brother Peter and I received. Mr. Ewen was a role model for me, and I have never forgotten his kindnesses to my family and me. There are few gifts greater than lifelong lessons and memories, and Mr. Ewen provided me with them, in great abundance. I am, and forever will be, grateful and humbled that God brought Mr. Gordon Ewen into my life.

Patrick Heraty
Professor of Business
Hilbert College
Hamburg, NY

Stewart Carlson

March 6, 2009

Family,

Your father was one of the nicest people I ever met. We had a relationship during the period when he was with Pure Oil. At that time we were living on Lloyd Place and he came to our home a number of times involving the Pure Oil annual report. My wife Margaret and I were guests in your parents home on several occasions as well. I still think of your family whenever I go past the house, which is frequently. I also remember Malcolm working at Sterns many years ago.

My younger daughter Melissa has very fond memories of encountering your dad around Winnetka and getting one of his terrific handshakes.
Since Melissa is now 52 that gives you some idea how far back my memories of your father go.

Melissa and I plan to attend the memorial service.

My wife and daughter in law are both in the churchyard at WCC. I travel there by scooter or walker these days.

My sincere sympathy on your loss.

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