Longtime Bainbridge Island resident and former Little League president Valentine Gordon Benz died March 17, at Virginia Mason Hospital, Seattle.

He was born July 26, 1930 in Bismarck, N.D. to Frank and Mabel (Olsen) Benz.

At a young age, Gordon moved with his family to Lebanon, Ore., where he grew up and graduated from high school in 1948. It was there that he met the love of his life, Dixie Lee Walkinshaw.

Following high school, he joined the Navy and during his 23-year career he rose to the rank of lietenant commnader. He served in many locales including San Diego, Monterrey, and Pearl Harbor.

He was an expert submarine navigator who also ran the practice operations for space capsule recoveries and authored submarine torpedo manuals in use today.

After retiring, he worked at Keyport as a civilian employee for Honeywell.

He is perhaps best known on Bainbridge Island as the president of Bainbridge Island Little League for six years during the 1990s.

He also enjoyed fishing and hunting. During one 22-month period he made five trips to Alaska ostensibly to visit his daughter Vallee and her family, but spent his time fishing.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Dixie Lee of Bainbridge Island; son Michael Benz, Bainbridge Island; daughter Vallee Stetner, Salt Lake City, Utah; two sisters, Ardeth Frum and Lee Ann Shrake, both of Oregon; and grandsons Christopher, T.J., and Kyle and granddaughters Courtney and Caity.

A memorial service will held at 1 p.m. March 21 at Port Madison Lutheran Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Kass Funeral Home, Bainbridge Island.