Gordon went on to complete a Masters in Political Science at UNL, where he specialized in Water Policy and would later become the Executive Director of the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts until 1994. He then started his own lobbying firm, Kissel E&S LLC where he was Managing Partner until he retired. In his professional life, Gordon revered the Nebraska Unicameral, and found his footing in the legislative scene by forming authentic relationships and advocating on behalf of his clients by being straightforward and telling it like it is.
Gordon (Gordy to his golf friends, or “Gordy P for Popular”) was a lifelong golfer, and a true kid at heart. On the golf course, he could be found hitting balls, practicing his putting, or playing eighteen holes, initially at Firethorn and later at the Country Club of Lincoln. He founded the annual Lincoln Ryder Cup tournament with good friend Bob Roth, who would later become his oldest daughter’s father-in-law. In 2002, he was invited to participate in the annual Keepers of the Green tournament at the Old Course at Saint Andrews in Scotland.
As a dad, Gordon was a mischievously snarky and tender-hearted guy. He was devoted to making sure his two daughters, Alex and Meg, kept access to their childlike wonder, even as they grew into adults: Christmas mornings were cherished; trips to Disney World were taken despite his hatred of travel and flying; and he instilled in them the belief that they could be and do anything. He relished taking his daughters on many east coast college campus tours, and ended up the proud father of two graduates of Smith College in Northampton, MA.
Gordon leaves his three grandsons behind with indelible memories of their Papa G. With Milo, he leaves a tender and empathetic heart and love of video games, for Desi he leaves his dry wit and a well-timed heckle, and to Ozzy he leaves his middle name.
He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Karen Wilkinson. He is survived by his wife, JoAnne; his daughter Alexandra Roth, her husband Michael Roth and their sons Milo Wallace and Dexter Matthew, all of Lincoln; his daughter Meg Kissel, her husband Danny RosenHanst and their son Oscar Gordon of New York City; and his brother Gary, of Salinas, Ecuador. He is also survived by nieces and nephews Kevin and Alan Wilkinson, Daisha Kissel and Suzanne Lapolla, and his father-in-law Wallace Gake.
Gordon’s memorial service will take place on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at 2:30pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2110 Sheridan Blvd, with a reception to follow at the Country Club of Lincoln, 3200 S. 24th St. Service will be LIVESTREAMED. Follow the link; the video should appear as the most recent video.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been set up in Gordon’s Memory at Union Bank and Trust.
Memorial checks can be made out to: “Memorial Account for Gordon Kissel”
Mail to:
Union Bank and Trust
PO Box 82535
Lincoln, NE 68501-9434