R. Gordon Black, age 91, passed away Friday, April 3, 2026 in OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital following a brief illness.
Born in 1935 to Elizabeth and Roger Black in Mansfield, Ohio, R. Gordon Black lived a life defined by curiosity, achievement, and dedication to family and community.
He attended a small elementary school founded by his mother before continuing to Johnny Appleseed Junior High and later attending boarding school at Choate. He attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he studied engineering and graduated in 1956. While at MIT, he met his first wife, Barbara, and they had three sons: Roger Beyer, Martin Thomas, and Charles Blymyer. He remained involved with MIT throughout his life, supporting fundraising efforts and student recruitment.
Following graduation, he participated in a student engineering program with ASEA in Sweden. He later worked within his family’s Ohio Brass Company in the Barberton Akron area before returning to Mansfield in 1965. As a sales engineer, he traveled extensively and contributed to projects including the Niagara Falls power plant.
He retired at the age of 49 and remained active in his community. He served on several boards, supported local organizations, and even served as a substitute teacher at Mansfield Senior High School. He enjoyed vintage automobile racing and car collecting, as well as sailing, skiing, and card games. He was a longtime member of the Clear Fork Ski Patrol and a sailing club, where he served as commodore. He was an avid member of the Fifty-One Club, where he enjoyed many card games and friendships.
In 1984, he married Kaya Black, and together they shared 42 years of companionship and travel.
He is survived by his wife, Kaya Black; his sons, Roger Beyer (Jennifer), Martin Thomas (Lena), and Charles Blymyer; his grandchildren, Alexander and Thomas, and Theo Black; his stepchildren, Monica Gonzales (John), Julie Turner (Brett), and John Messmore (Julianne); their children, Morgan and Jax Gonzales, Ryan and Adam Schmidt, and Jack, Jason, and Jenna Messmore; great grandchildren, Daxten, and Rowen Schmidt; his sister, Edith Humphrey; his brother, David Black (Gretchen); and sister-in-law, Margaret Black.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Frank Black; and his brother-in-law, Joseph Humphrey.
A memorial service honoring the life of R. Gordon Black will be held Friday, April 10, 2026 at Mansfield First Congregational Church at 11 am. Pastor Brad Bunn will officiate and the family will receive friends following the service in Blymyer Hall.
The Marion Avenue Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the Black family and encourage memories and condolences to the family by visiting snyderfuneralhomes.com
Funeral Home: Marion Avenue Snyder Funeral Home
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com