Sierra Vista Celebrates Veteran’s 90th Birthday at Hospital
Jun 26, 2018
San Luis Obispo, Calif. – For Gordon Paul, Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center holds a special place in his heart. For more than 25 years, Gordon has been having dinner in the hospital’s dining room. He says the chef is top notch and the price is right.
Gordon has become a part of the Sierra Vista family as countless staff members have gotten to know him over the years during his evening visits. As his 90th birthday approached, staff members knew they wanted to have a special dinner in his honor to celebrate this milestone.
“Gordon is one of the most positive and independent people I have ever met. He is loved by so many employees here at Sierra Vista,” said Nancy Walters, patient advocate at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center. “The expression on his face when I told him we wanted to celebrate him for his birthday was so touching. He said he wasn’t used to being the center of attention.”
And the center of attention he was on June 20, 2018, as Sierra Vista physicians, nurses and staff members gathered to celebrate Gordon. The evening featured Gordon’s favorite foods: shrimp cocktail for an appetizer and baked chicken, asparagus, potatoes and rolls for dinner. A birthday celebration wouldn’t be complete without dessert: strawberry shortcake, Gordon’s favorite.
When asked why he enjoys having dinner each evening at Sierra Vista, Gordon simply stated: “I don’t cook and I don’t do dishes, and the price is right.” He also said he enjoys the company. In addition – years ago – the chef from a local restaurant he used to go to with his wife, left that restaurant to work at Sierra Vista. Gordon and his wife followed.
Gordon is a Korean War navy veteran and began working as an accounting professor at Cal Poly in 1969. He definitely does not have a shortage of stories about his days during the Korean War or about his lovely wife, Alice, who passed away several years ago.
It is an honor to have Gordon eat dinner with us each night and he will always be a welcome member of the Sierra Vista family.
