Obit: One Man, One Dream - A Salute to Dr. Gordy Klatt

By Margot Ferron

We often think that one person can’t make a difference, but that was not true for Dr. Gordon Klatt, a colorectal surgeon from Tacoma, Wash.

In May 1985, Dr. Gordy Klatt decided to personally raise money to fight cancer by doing something he loved- running marathons. Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours circling the track at Butler Stadium at the University of Puget Sound. Klatt ran in memory of a young man who died from cancer and he wanted to increase the income to help the American Cancer Society fight cancer. He did; he raised more than $27,000.

Throughout the day and night friends paid to run or walk 30 minutes with him on the more than 83 grueling miles. During that time, he envisioned how others could join and raise money to fight cancer. Later he put together a committee to plan the first team relay, the City of Destiny Classic24-hour Run Against Cancer.

The next year, he was joined by 19 teams. Since then, the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life has become a worldwide event raising more than $5 billion to fight cancer. Today there are 6,000 Relays in the United States and in 22 countries.

In March 2012 he was diagnosed with stomach cancer and battled his own fight. He continued to Relay. On Sunday, Aug. 3, 2014, Dr. Gordy Klatt died from a struggle with congestive heart failure. He was 71 years old.

According to Lisa Grenier, online chair, Relay For Life Tacoma, Wash., “He treated several members of my family and I was fortunate to connect with him on a personal level. I wish the world could have known Gordy the surgeon.”

Grenier continued to say, “His patients didn’t know him as “the man who started Relay,” they knew him as the brilliant surgeon who saved them or someone they love. “

“When my uncle thought he had colon cancer he was terrified. Dr, Klatt put his hand on my uncle’s knee and said, “George, we’re going to get you through this.”

A couple of years later, I was talking with Gordy and Lou Klatt. I told them just how comforting his words and touch were for my uncle. Gordy told me that he believes in the healing touch. Healing and comforting the mind was just as important as healing the body.

Dr. Klatt will forever be in our hearts, in our lives and always with us at Relay For Life. Whether you run, walk or crawl always have a dream, but just do something.

From the author…. It is with serious sadness, I bring this news to fellow Relayers and others, but I wanted you all to know. Because of Dr. Klatt’s vision, our country and the world are fighting against cancer with a vengeance. His vision and continued dedication was a titanic gift to the world that will go on.