Robert D. Jordan, age 84 of Wellfleet, died unexpectedly on Wednesday evening, April 15, 2015. He was the loving husband of Donna (Cummins) Jordan. Born in Pittsfield, MA on December 5, 1930, he was the son of the late Donald and Doris (Wooden) Jordan. During the Korean War he served proudly in the Marines for 4 years. In November and December of 1950, while stationed in Korea, he took part in the battle of Chosin Reservoir. He was later discharged on August 1, 1952 after having been awarded two Purple Heart Medals and one Bronze Star. He later joined with other troops in what became known as the “Chosin Few,” an organization of survivors the Chosin Reservoir Battle.
On November 1, 1952, two months after returning home, Bob and Donna were married. It was during this time that he furthered his education, receiving a degree from Lowell Technological Institute. He went on to become a Civil Engineer and worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Works, retiring in 1990. Following retirement Bob and Donna moved to Wellfleet.
Bob lived with the simple philosophy that his word was his bond and he expected the same from others. He made lifelong friendships within organizations that shared his values. He was proud to serve as a US Marine for 4 years and as a member of Lions Club International for 45 years because he believed serving his country and community was an honor and an obligation.
As a member of Lions he served in 3 different clubs, joining the Dalton club in 1970, and then Chatham-Nauset club in 1991, soon after moving to Wellfleet. In September of 1996 he joined the Provincetown Lions Club. He served as president of the Dalton and Chatham-Nauset clubs as well as secretary in all three. He received the Melvin Jones award in 1992, a progressive Melvin Jones award in 2011 and a Lifetime Membership award in 2014. Unbeknownst to Bob, he had recently been awarded the Sight Award, considered to be the second highest commendation offered by Lions. It was decided that he would receive this distinction at the awards night ceremony in June. Bob’s enthusiasm for service through Lions was most evident in the fact that he was issued a “Master Key” for having sponsored more than 10 new members. Personally, he served quietly and without question, taking pride in the selfless achievements of the two organizations he was committed to.
Although Bob was not motivated by accolades or approval, his no nonsense manner of serving others, is seen as an example of what Lions International stands for.
Besides his wife Donna, he is survived by his daughter Karen Kelly and her husband Jim of Stafford Springs, CT, his 2 granddaughters, Megan Kelly of Stafford Springs, CT and Maura Jones of Missoula, Montana and his grandson Jordan Jones of Kalispell, Montana. He was the father of the late Kathleen Jones who died in 2011. His sister Marilyn Coty and her husband Charles of Pittsfield, MA also survive him.
A Funeral Service will be held on Friday April 24, 2015 at 10:00am in the First Congregational Church of Wellfleet 200Main St. Wellfleet, MA. If desired, memorial contributions in honor of Bob may be made to Mass Lions Eye Research Fund Inc. P.D.G. William T. Murphy, Treasurer Post Office Box 6050 New Bedford, MA 02742 or at WWW.mlerfi.org.