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Remembering Blake

Please share your story of Blake. Your thoughts, photos and memories are a testament to who Blake was, how he lived his life and the number of people he inspired. Read Blake’s obituary.

A great sense of humor

Blake possessed so many great qualities but I will remember his sense of humor most of all. A few years ago at our state of the company meeting he was taking questions from the employees and someone asked if we had ever considered having a maternity section in our stores ( we would get that...

Kathy B.

I’ve never met him

Whenever you start in a new role you meet so many great people and they tell you about great people you have to get to know. I’ve seen Blake in all the stores I’ve worked in but never had the guts to actually speak to him. My team has told me how amazing he is,...

Gina Guerrero

Small Gesture, Profound Impact

There’s a woman who sits outside of Store 1 every morning. Her name is Corrine, and she’s makes extra money for herself by selling copies of Real Change. I talk to her when going to/from the bus tunnel each day. The day after Blake passed, she said to me, “I heard the news about Mr....

Terri Fincham Conner

A great leader…

Some people really make an impression on you, and Blake Nordstrom certainly was one of those people for me. I’m so sorry to hear of his passing. I remember the first time I knew he was going to “walk my floor” – I didn’t know what to expect. He was always a gentleman, always personable,...

Gina Kyle

He Did Things He Didn’t Have To

I have worked for the company since I was in my teens. My dad brought me in back in the 90s. I figured I’d give another employer a try and took another job. To that point, I had worked for Nordy for 9 years. In that time Blake and I had formed a relationship. One...

Brent Perkins

Nordstrom Family

Like many, I will always remember his genuine smile. It’s so hard to describe this feeling but I guess it’s just because this is the world Nordstrom has created for its employees. A work environment where the fourth-generation, name-on-the-building President feels more like a family member than an executive. I’ve worked at Nordstrom for almost...

Victoria Ayres Slane

772 Phipps Plaza ATL Market

It was a pleasure you work for you, Blake.. we will not let you down. Thank you for leaving Nordstrom ‘better than you found it’. Forever grateful.

Brittney Marvin

Blake: The Epitome of Servant Leadership

I have so many memories of Blake throughout my career with Nordstrom. He was the most intense, intuitive, and genuine leader – who also loved to have fun. I’ll never forget one time when we visited the Fashion Place store when I was managing. We had lunch with a group of managers when one leader...

Stephani Edmunds

Inspiring Leader

About 5 years ago, I was given the opportunity to be a part of the FNL program. I had the blessing and incredible chance to see Blake talk in Austin at our Rec Meeting. He made a point to talk to the FNLers first and let us ask him a bunch of questions. You could...

Mimi Odat

Early years

While i never had the pleasure of working with Blake I have a very fond memory of him. I actually had the pleasure of working with Molly at Nordstrom when they were first dating, about 30 years ago now. Molly was the nicest, sweetest co-worker and we became fast friends. Blake would come by and...

Tassie Christopher

My Nordstrom Hero

In 2012, I was a recovering addict with multiple felony convictions who had just served 3 years in prison on drug charges and was still in the Nashville-Davidson County Drug Court Program, when I was hired (against what I thought were all-odds) by Nordstrom Full Line Store 759 (Nashville), in web-fulfillment. I moved to stock...

Steve Antle

People First

I met Blake a few times, and he always took the time to say hello to everyone in the store and helped them feel important. Knowing that if employees didn’t feel good, they wouldn’t be able to serve our Customers to the best of their ability. He also traveled by himself, which I thought was...

A Lovely Man

I will always remember you with your beautiful smile, R.I.P. in Heaven where you belong Mr. Blake Nordstrom. You will be missed.

Mo Ba

APPROACHABLE AND KIND

I’ve worked for the company for 15 years now. I have met Blake several times and one of the things that I really appreciated about him is how incredibly approachable he was. It didn’t matter who I was or what department I worked for or what my role was (for the record I’ve been in...

Emily Gaydos

Great Guy

with all the success and fortune, he came off as unbelievable and undeniably humble, which inspired my career at Nordstrom. My condolences go out to the family.

Rest In Peace, Blake

I’m seeing many posts that perfectly capture the spirit of Blake Nordstrom. He was a great leader, visionary and incredibly smart. Two things I also saw was his humor and competitive spirit. On more than one occasion I saw him send a department manager on a wild chase for the “wall stretcher” when they complained...

Glenn Bellman

Smile!

I remember the first time I met Blake, I was working at the rack, and was extremely nervous. He came in through the front doors like a normal customer would, and he had to duck to get in because he was so tall. He had the biggest smile on his face, you could tell he...

Memory

I was crazy about selling the tiny tee in PIC where I was manager.I wanted to be number one and did become it.Mr Bruce always said go for it.when he came to visit he remembered. I was stunned.he is my hero and proves you can do anything you put your mind to.RIP and thank you

Petra Johansson

The inspiration of many people

We’ll miss Blake’s kind words and sweet smile. Please know that I’ll be praying for you and your family.

F.Castellanos

Kind and polite with a beautiful smile

First sorry for the loss. I meet Blake at the closing of store 226 , he approached me with such respect and I asked him if Creme de la Mer is going to the 238 store , what an amazing answer ( of course let me send a txt right now) he take a time...

Nadia Abeltah

He will be missed

His smile brighten up a room and made it so easy for to talk to him!

Marilyn Waterbeck

Great president

You were a excellent president. I remember you came to Indianapolis to announce the closure of the Circle Centre store. I remembered asking you a question about the closure. Also announcing the new rack store in Indianapolis. You’ll be missed.

Ryan Mitchell

Prayers for the Nordstrom Family

Oh God……. I cannot imagine how to overcome from this time. I express my Hart full condolence and deep sympathy for untimely demise of Blake. he is one of the best man on our business. his smiling face and a great attitude can lead up to the high. I did not get a chance to...

Man with the dreams

what I feel about Mr. Blake is he was the man who had a dreams to serve the community and support every one to make the world equal of opportunities. Mr. Blake I wish your soul gets rest in peace and I hope you, your memories and your dreams of supporting others will be with...

Tek Dhakal

A Great Man

I am a former Nordstrom employee of 26 years and as a corporate employee, I had many opportunities to interact with him. He was always kind and inspiring. It is true that Nordstrom has lost a great leader, but the world has lost a great man. My deepest sympathies go out to his wife, his...

The Smile

Over my 32 years with Nordstrom I met Blake several times when he would come to DC 499 to deliver the “State of the Company” meeting. Tall, ever so tall, and the energetic smile. I always left those meetings very positive, and wanting to do my very best work. I should add that he came...

Laura Sheaffer

That smile !

His smile made it easy for anyone to talk to him! He will be missed 😢

Shahram “ Shah” Zarrinkhat

What an amazing man

Mr Bruce and Duane Covey hired me back in the late 70’s to work at place two in Bellevue. I didn’t meet Blake until the 90’s when I was the Director of Care at ATT Wireless. My job was to go across the country and train our employees on extraordinary service. Nordstrom always came up...

Cynthia Nolan

Truly Missed

I was truly saddened to hear of Blake’s passing – it came as such a shock. I felt after the recent news of his diagnosis that he was so optimistic and was absolutely going to beat his cancer. Hearing of his passing was just heartbreaking. Sadly I never got to meet him, and I can’t...

Karly Chambers

Amazing Leader and Person

As many others, I have only had the pleasure of meeting Blake once in the 12+ years I have worked for the Company. Shortly following the completion of a remodel for the entire store, including shoes going from single/classic presentation to boxed, Blake visited. While walking the floor with myself (Shoe Manager), Store Manager, and...

Amber Slater

Thank you Blake

Very Sad day. I just came home to find out Blake Nordstrom has passed away. I have wonderful memories of working with him in Bellevue and Golde Creek rack. He taught us all to be the best we can be. I will miss that smile, and I can officially say Nordstrom will never be the...

Melinda Mason (McMillin)

His smile lit up the world!

Blake was a kind and supportive leader. Overall great person to so many! Hardly ever seen without a smile on his face. So glad I had the opportunity to work for him many years ago at Nordstrom Rack. Peace to you Blake, your family and many friends during this difficult and sad time.

Maggie Neuschwanger Kunesh

There are a lot of heavy hearts around here.

While I did not know Blake on a personal level, I have been in his presence quite a few times, usually in the elevators. We all know what a great business man he was, but to have that combined with a warm and friendly personality is almost unheard of. Every single time I saw him,...

Kathryn Bush

Prayers for the Nordstrom Family

Blake’s passing is a great loss to everyone. I had to the pleasure of meeting him a couple times in our center at 310. He came around and shook everyone’s hands, joked around with a few and passed out candy on Halloween. You can tell he cared about every single person who works here and...

We should also remember that Blake was a fun guy to be around

It’s difficult for me to express how devastated I am that Blake passed away. Here’s an example of how awesome Blake was: Our department had a Scavenger Hunt and one thing we needed was a photo with an Exec. I was in a team with two colleagues and we ran up to Blake outside his...

Maryse O'Neill

An unexpected conversation…

I returned from Bereavement Leave on Thursday 12/12 after losing my mother, a former Nordstrom employee, to ovarian cancer. On that day, I read Blake’s update about his diagnosis and shot off a response with words of encouragement and well wishes. Blake responded to me shortly there after and said that his Mother-in-law had passed...

Devin Tonseth

Thank you, Blake

I had the opportunity to be around Blake several times at various events and was always impressed by his approachability – he made me feel valued and made our work feel important and fun. I’m so grateful to have witnessed his example of leadership. He lead with humility, kindness and joy. He was really so...

Kelsey Gray

Ate my pizza!

I had the pleasure of having lunch with Blake. While at lunch he asked me what I was going to order. When I told him that I was going to get the flat bread pizza he seems intrigued and said that he would have some of mine. I laughed it off thinking that he was...

A Very Kind Person

I didn’t know Blake personally, but I often saw him at the e-bar in the morning. One of the things that always stood out to me is how well he treated everyone who worked there. I always thought it was a reflection of great parenting and being part of a kind family with exceptional values....

Rememberance Table for store #479

We are all sending our thoughts, prayers and strength to all of the Nordstrom family during this difficult time. Blake will truly be missed!

Store 479

A Heartfelt Thank You

I have been with Nordstrom for 17 years. During that time, I have seen and interacted with Blake, Pete, and Erik often because they are always speaking at our company update and recognition meetings and are always approachable, even when passing them on the street. I guess one thing that has dawned on me since...

Todd Tuttle

Kind and gentle spirit

Around 20+ years ago I took my mom out to breakfast at a little breakfast place in University Village called Mom’s. This was before U-Village became what it is today. It was early on a Saturday morning and we were the only ones in the restaurant when Blake walks in with his 2 kids. I...

Joe Cheng

True servant leadership!

I’ve had the privelage of growing up in this company, like so many at Nordstrom. For the last 19 years, I’ve experienced and learned so many fundamentals of leadership- those they cannot teach in college. My favorite memory of Blake was back in 2009 when I was a DM at Northpark. He came with an...

Jen Caparas

It Is About People

A more perfect expression for my tenure and experience at Nordstrom could not be expressed than by Blake’s words, “Our business is about people. It’s about relationships and trust. It’s about simple acts of kindness.” The colleagues I’ve maintained close relationships with for nearly two decades, and the customers I’ve connected with on and off...

Emily Barrows

Always made the time

I had a few personal encounters with Blake and also was fortunate to hear him speak at many rec meetings, President Cup awards, and just other general corporate meetings. He asked the tough questions you would expect a CEO to ask but also kept his ears open. He listened for ideas and was humble in...

We will miss you Blake

Blake’s smile, kindness, positive energy, and deep commitment to our customers is why I’ve been with the company for 15 years. We are all heart broken that one of our fearless leaders has left us. We will miss you! One of my favorite recent Blake stories is when he gave our corporate team a tour...

Amanda Bourgault

Blake left it better than he found it.

I will always remember Blake as a role model for this saying, even though it was coined by his father. As a father I could think of no bigger honor than children who embody your own beliefs. Blake was so gracious, and so engaging, every encounter was memorably meaningful. I hope those of us at...

Dewayne Cowles

Impactful

Very saddened to hear of this shocking news of the passing of Blake Nordstom. Both he and his brothers were guiding lights spreading the Nordstrom values and culture to every place they went. The Nordstrom Way Of valuing people, both customers and employees was personified authentically from the top. Their ideals permeated all corners of...

Jim Sullivan

Customer service

I started working at Nordstrom after 30 years with a telecommunications company. The CEO was so eloquent about the great Nordstrom customer service. I did meet Blake at one of our meetings Thousand Oaks 348. Such a sincere smiling man it made it all more real for me

Nancy Hoffman