Remembering Dick Gedrose ’61
Dick Gedrose ’61 and wife Gloria
Living Age Quod Agis ‘Every Step of the Way’ Richard (Dick) Gedrose ’61 passed away on Aug. 1, 2021, following a long and courageous battle with cancer. Dick was an institution at Jesuit High School since his arrival as a student more than six decades ago. He served our community loyally, tirelessly, and with immense devotion as a teacher, coach, athletic director, vice principal, principal, and president.
the spring of 1983, Dick became principal. He assumed the role of president in 1998 until his retirement in 2005. Throughout his long tenure as teacher, coach and administrator, Dick always strove to achieve what he saw as the school’s priority – what was best for the students. A paragon of commitment and integrity, he had the ability to make decisions with grace and compassion. He watched Jesuit evolve and grow over the years, putting his entire heart and soul into tireless devotion to Jesuit’s mission and its students and to fostering a dedication to excellence. Fr. Larry Robinson, S.J., emphasized Dick’s enduring and steadfast commitment to Jesuit in an article he wrote about Dick in the Age Quod Agis magazine in 2005: “ … as a loving husband, father and grandfather, he became a model, a prototype of the Jesuits’ companion in mission, as ‘Jesuit’ as any person who ever worked in this apostolate. And every step of the way, Age Quod Agis.” Recently, when asked about significant memories from his time at Jesuit, Dick shared three key events. First, he mentioned his help in writing the Profile of a Jesuit Graduate at Graduation. As the presence of Jesuits at the school declined in the 1980s,
Dick graduated from Jesuit in 1961 and attended college at Gonzaga University where he earned a degree in education. Dick’s first teaching job was at Brookings-Harbor High School, where he taught social studies. After two years in Brookings, he was hired at Regis High School in Stayton, Oregon, where he taught for another two years. Moving back to Portland, Dick spent one year at Jackson High School before taking a position at his alma mater in 1970. “I was really looking for a school where I could experience community and a sense of belonging, and I found it at Jesuit High School,” said Dick. For the next 35 years, Dick served Jesuit in almost every capacity. In addition to teaching history from 1970 to 1974, he was an assistant football coach and head track coach. From 1975 until 1983, he served as athletic director and vice principal. In
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