Chan Gordon, April 22, 2022, Asheville, NC.
Our community and the world at large lost one of its shining lights. Chan Gordon succumbed to ALS last Friday evening after a relatively, and mercifully, short battle with this devastating disease.
I met Chan shortly after moving to the Asheville area in 1973. He and his wife Miegan had opened The Captains Bookshelf, which they owned and operated together for close to fifty years. It quickly became a haven for those of us with a love for books, good conversation, art, and general good will. They had a wonderful collection of photography books, among many topics, and it was easy to stay lost in the store looking at books.
Chan was a generous man who regularly reached out to artists, writers, craftspeople and anyone part of the growing bohemian community in 70s and 80s Asheville. We all remember his infectious smile, his subtle flirtatiousness, his sense of humor, his love of cocktails, his loquacious manner, and, of course, his books. He loved to help people.
I was fortunate to share a longish visit with him in late April. The disease was clearly taking a toll. He had lost a lot of weight and his energy level was dissipating. And this man of words, of language, of story, could barely speak. His speech was ragged and without Miegan acting as interpreter, I would have missed half of what he was saying. But the smile was the same, his laugh. He amazed me with his seeming acceptance of his situation.
When I called to make sure if it was okay to visit, I asked him when would be the best time to come, thinking he would say “in the morning” when he likely had more energy. Not so. “Come at cocktail hour,” he said. “That’s when I’m at my best.”
When I got up to leave, I went over to give him a hug, something we always did when we saw each other. But this time, knowing it could be our last hug, we kissed on the lips, a level of affection we both wanted to keep with us.