Gordon Faber facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gordon Faber
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Faber in 1998
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| Mayor of Hillsboro, Oregon | |
| In office 1993–2001 |
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| Preceded by | Shirley Huffman |
| Succeeded by | Tom Hughes |
| Member of the Hillsboro City Council | |
| In office 1981–1985 1987–1993 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | April 2, 1931 Greensburg, Pennsylvania |
| Died | August 18, 2014 (aged 83) Hillsboro, Oregon |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouses | Barbara Loftin (1951–?); Barbara (B. J.) Jeddeloh (1990–2014) |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Hillsboro, Oregon |
| Alma mater | Willamette University Lewis & Clark College |
| Occupation | Retired |
Gordon C. Faber (born April 2, 1931 – died August 18, 2014) was an American politician and businessman. He was born in Pennsylvania but grew up in Hillsboro, Oregon. He joined the United States Air Force during the Korean War. Before entering politics, he owned a small business and worked as a real estate agent. Faber was a member of Hillsboro's budget committee and city council. He then served two terms as mayor of Hillsboro from 1993 to 2001. A sports complex in the city, the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex, is named after him.
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Early Life of Gordon Faber
Gordon Faber was born on April 2, 1931, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. His family moved to Hillsboro, Oregon, in 1934, where he spent his childhood. As a boy, he was a member of the Boy Scouts of America. He graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1949.
After high school, he attended Lewis & Clark College for a year and a half. When the Korean War began, he joined the United States Air Force. He served for almost four years with a special weapons unit. In 1951, he married Barbara Loftin, and they had three children: Mark, Rod, and Bob.
After his military service, Faber returned to Oregon for college. He studied at Willamette University in Salem, graduating in 1956 with a degree in economics. He then returned to Hillsboro and worked for his father's plumbing and electrical business. He later bought the business but sold it in 1985. After that, he worked as a car salesman and then as a real estate agent. He was also president of Hillsboro's Rotary International club from 1984 to 1985.
Gordon Faber's Political Career
Gordon Faber's journey into politics started when he joined Hillsboro's budget committee. In 1981, he became a member of the city council, serving a four-year term until 1985. He returned to the council for another term in 1987.
In July 1992, Faber announced he would run for mayor of Hillsboro. The previous mayor, Shirley Huffman, could not run again. During his campaign, he spoke out against a ballot measure that aimed to limit certain rights. He ran for mayor without anyone opposing him and won the election in November. He became mayor in 1993, leaving the city council after ten years of service.
Gordon Faber as Mayor
As mayor, Gordon Faber sometimes had to make tough decisions. In April 1995, he cast the tie-breaking vote for a new apartment complex. This complex was allowed by city rules, even though some neighbors did not want it. Hillsboro mayors do not usually vote on the city council, but they do break ties.
After this vote, Faber first said he would not run for a second term as mayor. However, he changed his mind in July 1996 and decided to run again. He later said that the apartment complex vote was the hardest decision he made as mayor. In November 1996, he won re-election with a large majority of the votes.
Mayor Faber supported expanding the city's urban growth boundary. He believed that cities need to grow to stay strong and healthy. He worked to prevent a new women's prison from being built in Hillsboro in 1997. The prison was eventually built in a different location. In 2000, Faber traveled to Japan with Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber. He visited Hillsboro's sister city, Fukuroi, and met with leaders of Japanese companies that had offices in Hillsboro.
Gordon Faber left office on January 2, 2001, and Tom Hughes became the new mayor. During Faber's time as mayor, Hillsboro grew a lot. The city's population increased from about 40,000 to over 72,000 people. Many important projects happened during his leadership. The MAX Light Rail’s Blue Line opened in Hillsboro, making it easier for people to travel. The city also created a special district that led to a new campus for Intel and the building of Hillsboro Stadium. The city also created the Hillsboro 2020 Vision plan for its future. The Gordon Faber Recreation Complex, which includes the stadium, is named in his honor.
Later Life and Family
After leaving office, Gordon Faber had plans to learn a musical instrument and how to use a computer. He also wanted to take college history classes. A few years later, he had a heart attack but recovered.
His first marriage to Barbara ended, and he remarried in 1990 to B. J. Jeddeloh. Gordon Faber was known for his good sense of humor. The Hillsboro Community Foundation gives a scholarship in his name to local students who want to study nursing. In 2014, he began receiving care at home because of a lung condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Gordon Faber passed away at home on August 18, 2014, at the age of 83, due to this condition.
