Gordon Westphal

Gordon Wilbur Westphal, 83 of Rochester, MN, died at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN on October 25, 2025.

"Gordy" was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa in 1942, to Russell and Elsie Westphal. For certain, he and his two brothers kept their parents on their toes. Gordon's love of flying started at an early age when he started his flight training at age 17 and received his license within the year. This love led to a lifelong obsession with aviation. He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and board member of his local EAA chapter. He would always say that he felt closest to God when flying, especially when flying through those "big fluffy clouds" and seeing the sunlight shine on them. His faith in God led him to be a charter member of the Rochester Covenant Church and a volunteer for the Interfaith Hospitality Network where he remained active until he passed.

Gordon attended Rochester Community College where he received an associate's degree in engineering and was employed at IBM in Rochester from1960-2000. He also served in the United States Navy Air Reserve where he was assigned to a squadron in Jacksonville, Florida where he worked on everything electrical on the SP-2E Neptune.

Gordon began a wonderful marriage in 1965 with the love of his life, Eileen, and was blessed with two sons who kept them on their toes. Like father, like sons. Gordy enjoyed coaching baseball as the boys grew up and was delighted when they both took flying lessons. He was proud of the good men they became.

Over the years, Gordy also built 2 airplanes from scratch in the basement of his home in Rochester and rebuilt 3 others which often lead to the removal of windows and doors in order to be able to successfully get airplane parts out. He would then transport them to his hanger at the Dodge Center Airport where he pieced them together and painted the plane. He owned a total of 14 airplanes plus a gyrocopter. Until the writing of this obituary, his sons didn't even know about the gyrocopter.

Gordy couldn't have been proud of anything more than he was of his two granddaughters. His love for them, God, and the rest of the family overflowed. He also was a kind, gentle, and generous man as many loved friends and the community will attest to.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Eileen Elizabeth (Tvedt) Westphal and sons Scot Westphal and Darin Westphal (Toni), granddaughters Hope Westphal and Chloe Westphal, brothers Warren (Debra) Westphal and Greg (Judy) Westphal, nephews Brandon (Amy) Westphal and Ben (Shelby) Westphal and many great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a niece Kelly.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM Monday, November 10, 2025, at Rochester Covenant Church, 4950 31st Avenue NW, Rochester, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Mantorville, MN.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider a memorial donation to Rochester Covenant Church.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Westphal family.