Born on 21 September 1935, Gordon was the son of Jenny Anderson and Keith Stokes. His family’s legacy of service and public contribution deeply shaped his life. His mother was born in Safed, Palestine, the daughter of medical missionary Dr Walter Anderson. His father Keith was raised in Manly and served at Gallipoli as a stretcher bearer alongside Simpson and his donkey. He spent the rest of the war on the Western Front. In 1919, Keith returned to the northern beaches, buying land on Narrabeen beach and becoming a foundation member of Mona Vale Golf Club, where he proposed to Jenny in 1933. He built an innovative radio manufacturing company - Radiokes— that became a household name and major competitor to AWA.
Gordon’s great-grandfather, Frederick Michael Stokes, was a co-founder of the Sydney Morning Herald who acted as Editor for 11 years before selling the newspaper to John Fairfax in 1842.
After the early loss of his father following his continued service in World War Two, Gordon helped his family run a millinery shop before earning a government scholarship to study medicine at the University of Sydney. A National Heart Foundation scholarship then took him to London’s Westminster Hospital and on to the National Heart Institute in Bethesda, Maryland.
In Washington, his patients included Eunice Shriver of the Kennedy family and attended the now-infamous “All the Way with LBJ” speech by Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt – to which the few Australians in Washington at the time had been invited by the embassy. During this time, he was also challenged by African-American hospital workers about the treatment of Aboriginal Australians—an encounter that deeply affected him and sharpened his lifelong concern for justice and equality.
Returning to Australia, Gordon built a long and respected career in medicine. He was only the second person to earn a Doctor of Medicine from the University of New South Wales and went on to publish more than 400 peer-reviewed articles. His pioneering research into the renin–angiotensin system helped inform the development of treatments for hypertension still in use today.
As a clinician at Sydney Hospital and, after its controversial closure, Royal North Shore Hospital, Gordon was known for treating patients with complex and treatment-resistant hypertension. His clinical skill was matched by his compassion. As a clinical professor at the University of Sydney, he was a gifted teacher—clear-thinking, generous with his time, and appreciated by generations of university students – whom he would collectively welcome into his home for meals – and encourage throughout their careers.
Yet Gordon’s life was never defined by professional accolades alone. His Christian faith was the foundation of all he did. Alongside his beloved wife Toni, he was a committed member of St John’s Anglican Church at Mona Vale. He pursued formal theological training and was an active member of the Christian Medical and Dental Fellowship.
He served as a volunteer doctor in refugee camps along the Laos–Thailand border during the 1980s and, despite contracting typhoid, helped Vietnamese refugee families settle in Australia. Later, he served as Medical Director of the Church Missionary Society, following in the footsteps of his uncle, Dr Harold Anderson, who worked in China with the famed Scottish runner and missionary, Eric Liddell.
Gordon in Cambodian refugee camp
Outside medicine and ministry, Gordon treasured life’s simpler pleasures: golf, tennis, fishing, watching sport, good meals, and deep conversation. He was a long-time member of Mona Vale Golf Club and the Mona Vale Probus Club —and took quiet joy in thoughtful craftsmanship, whether in his writing, garden, or sermons.
Gordon enjoyed an eclectic friendship group. He played tennis with Joern Utzon in Bayview and enjoyed many good conversations with Barry Unsworth in Mona Vale and Jim Longley in Warriewood. He was close to two former Pittwater Mayors – Robert Dunn and Harvey Rose.
Gordon lived with humility, wisdom, and grace. He sought neither acclaim nor riches but enriched countless lives through his intellect, faith, and unwavering kindness. He leaves behind a legacy not only of scientific achievement and public service, but of decency, compassion, and enduring love.
Gordon leaves behind his beloved wife of 64 years, Toni, his siblings, and a large family of four children, 11 grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. Gordon’s eldest daughter Joanne lives in Mona Vale. His eldest son, Peter, was deputy principal at Narrabeen Sports High School. His daughter Dr Jenny Wingham is a partner at Mona Vale Veterinary Hospital and his youngest child Rob was a former member for Pittwater. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.
"He has shown you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to act justly, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God?" – Micah 6:8
Gordon, Robert, Joanne, Peter, Toni and Jen.