Honoring the life and legacy of gordon stice

We honor the life and legacy of longtime PBWS partner Gordon Stice, whose work and influence helped shape our firm and our community.

Gordon joined Harlan Pedersen in the 1960s to form our predecessor firm, Pedersen Stice. Over time, the firm flourished and, following a merger in 1983, became Pedersen Beckhart Wesley and Stice, the name it carries today.

Gordon was a dedicated partner with a loyal client base that relied on his meticulous and highly technical design work. Over the course of his career, he contributed to a wide range of project types. Among his many accomplishments, Gordon designed several of the tallest buildings in Pasadena, as well as custom residences in the mid-century vernacular.

In the aftermath of the Eaton Canyon Fire, we came across a beautifully hand-drawn set of construction documents in our archives for a home Gordon designed in Pasadena in 1967 which was tragically lost in the fire. The current homeowner, having identified Gordon as the original architect through a neighbor’s recollection, was deeply appreciative to receive the documents to help guide the reconstruction of their cherished home. It was a fitting reminder of the lasting impact of Gordon’s work.

Gordon officially retired from PBWS in 2003. In retirement, he continued to pursue his passion for architecture, designing and building a home for himself and his wife, Perla, in Sedona, Arizona. The couple later moved to Kauai, Hawaii, where he designed and built another home. Following Perla’s passing in 2022, Gordon returned to Sedona.

Gordon passed away on January 15, 2026, at the age of 89. He will be remembered for his many contributions to the firm, his dedication to architectural craft, and the enduring legacy of his work.