Gordon Rundquist
RUNDQUIST, GORDON, ESPINOSA, BICKFORD, STEADMAN
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 11/25/2024 at 12:20:56
Coach Gordon Rundquist, 80, of Iowa City, passed away on Friday, September 20, 2024, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics surrounded by family.
A time to celebrate Coach Rundquist will be from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm at Coach’s Corner (749 Mormon Trek Blvd, Iowa City) on Saturday, October 5, 2024, for an Iowa Hawkeye tailgate party. Guests are invited to wear Hawkeye attire. Instead of flowers and plants, please direct memorials to the Rundquist Family in care of Sherry Rundquist.
Gordon was born on October 22, 1943, in Cedar Rapids, IA, the son of Donald and Geraldine (Gordon) Rundquist.
Gordon was raised in Marion, Iowa, and attended Marion High School. He developed his love of basketball under the guidance of Coach Les Hipple, long-time Hall of Fame high school basketball coach, who was a father figure to him. Gordon went on to play college football and basketball at Coe College, under Don King, where he remained after graduation as a Graduate Assistant for the football and basketball programs.
Prior to attending Coe College, Gordon played football and basketball at Mason City Junior College where he met and eventually married the love of his life: Sherry Espinosa. Gordon was fond of telling the story of when he met Sherry – he watched her walk down the staircase at MCJC and told his buddy he was going to marry her. Gordon was welcomed into the Espinosa family whose values and acceptance molded him into the man he became. Gordon and Sherry had a fairytale love story and celebrated 60 years of marriage on June 27, 2024. They had two sons, Matthew and Paul.
Gordon taught K-12 PE, driver’s ed, and was the athletic director at Maquoketa Valley in Delhi, Iowa. He is fondly remembered for his unique approach to teaching, always engaging everyone, building relationships, and making learning fun. Former students recall donut runs and ice cream stops during driver's ed.
Most know Coach Rundquist for his outstanding achievements in the high school basketball arena. He compiled a 559-250 record in his 38 years as a head coach, first at West Branch, and then at Maquoketa Valley. He led the MV Wildcats to 16 conference titles, eight district titles, and five state tournaments including a second-place finish in 1986. He was named the 1992 State Coach of the Year and was honored as Tri-Rivers Conference Coach of the Year 13 times. Coach Rundquist was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011. Most recently, Coach Rundquist served as Assistant Coach to Steve Bergman at Iowa City West High School.
Coach Rundquist was ahead of his time in building a K-12 basketball program. He believed building relationships and teaching fundamental basketball skills beginning with elementary-aged kids would create a culture of basketball excellence. His camps are fondly remembered by his players who have noted that if someone couldn’t pay for the camp, Coach Rundquist would provide the payment. In 1988, Gordon traveled to Australia with Sports for Understanding, where he met Brian Harvey who he would later refer to as his brother from another mother. In partnership, they created The Great Australian Shootout in Melbourne, Australia which became Australia’s biggest under-20 tournament. Coach Rundquist took 12 teams to Australia introducing them to a different culture and providing a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
But the truth of who Gordon Rundquist was lies in the titles of Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Brother. The patriarch of the Rundquist family, he led with humor, laughter, and love. He was the first call when one of his grandchildren wanted to share an accomplishment, seek advice, or needed a shoulder to cry on. He is remembered as the whistling tickle monster and silly toe pincher. He was the life of the party, the holder of babies, the maker of margaritas, and the player of Clue and cribbage. He adored his wife Sherry who was the wind beneath his wings, his children who were his source of pride, and his grandchildren who were the light of his life.
Gordon loved his annual fishing trip to Canada with his buddies, son, and grandson. He was the first to rise in the early morning to prepare Bloody Marys for this motley crew of blue marlin Master Fishermen, delivering them to each person’s doorstep. He enjoyed traveling with his family to Hawkeye Bowl games where win or lose, he made sure everyone had a good time. His favorite outing of the year was to the Northwestern Steak House in Mason City where his family celebrated Christmas, keeping a countdown on his phone which he would share with his grandkids. The Steakhouse was a celebration of his family and Gordon was the master of ceremonies.
Known as “Big G,” “G-Bob,” “G,” “G-man,” and “Gordo” he was loved beyond measure. Gordon never met a stranger and had no enemies. From his daily phone calls to his son, many FaceTimes with his grandchildren, happy hours with his wife, and pulling pranks on his friends and family, Gordon made sure everyone knew they were loved.
Gordon was not only a Hall of Fame Coach, he was a Hall of Fame Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother, and Friend. He is known for saying, “You can’t put a price on a good time.”
Gordon is survived by his wife Sherry, son Paul (Amanda), grandchildren April (Dylan) Bickford, Kodi, Paul and Katlyn, and three great-grandchildren. He leaves one sister, Mimi Steadman, sister-in-law Ann Espinosa, brother-in-law Pete Espinosa, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents and his son Matthew.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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