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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION REMEMBERING AND HONORING THE LIFE OF DR. ROBERT ANDREW JORDAN, MD
WHEREAS, Almighty God in His infinite wisdom called from our midst Dr. Robert Andrew Jordan on Friday, August 11, 2023, at the age of 81; and
WHEREAS, Robert Andrew Jordan was born in Laurel, Mississippi, January 30, 1942, to parents Eddie Lee and Pauline Jordan. Robert was the oldest of his six siblings: Carrie, Paula, Fredrick “Freddie/Fred,” Conneleta “Diane,” and Deborah “Goobs”; and
WHEREAS, after losing his younger sister Diane at the tender age of nine to asthma; Bobby was determined to become a doctor to save the lives of not only asthmatic children but all ailing children; and
WHEREAS, his family moved from Mississippi to Chicago in the mid-1950’s when Robert was in his early teens, and one of his first jobs was as a helper in the office of a Black physician. He was smart and hard-working, but his dream of going to medical school seemed financially out of reach; and
WHEREAS, Robert attended Hyde Park High School on Chicago’s southside, where he met his wife, Jeanette Bass, who would soon become the one love of his life. They were married on July 29,1962, after high school. They enjoyed 61 years of covenant marriage. Robert and Jeanette accepted Christ as their savior, both at a very young age and raised their family in church; and
WHEREAS, Robert worked at the U.S. Post Office for 10 years prior to pursuing his admission to medical school. Robert completed Loop City College and went on to graduate from the University of Illinois, Chicago. He scored highly on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and enrolled at Rush Medical College in 1972 and received his Medical Degree in 1976.; and
WHEREAS, in 1979, Dr. Robert A. Jordan would not only become Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Hospital’s first Black Chief Resident of Pediatrics, but the first Black Physician ever named as Chief Resident in the history of the medical school. Dr. Jordan’s calling was always to provide children and families access to comprehensive healthcare no matter the health plan. He was trained to meet the unique needs of children, through all their developmental stages; and
WHEREAS, he practiced medicine a little over three (3) decades on Chicago’s south side at Altgeld Gardens, Michael Reese Health Plan (95th Street), Roseland, Homewood, Olympia Fields, and Chicago Heights. No visit to Dr. Jordan was routine in nature as the child and the parents received important care and information they needed. He spent time with his patients getting to know their medical and sometimes life needs. He could be counted on to show up at the hospital day or night; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Jordan was affiliated with multiple hospitals and served as a medical director of three nursing homes. He gave back to medical students, physician assistants and medical assistants by allowing them to complete preceptorships in his busy offices. Dr. Jordan also gave back to his community in many ways. On February 4, 1992, along with his beautiful wife, he established Far South Side Community Health Center, a nonprofit organization that provided annual school physicals and immunizations to school age children to ensure they started the school year on time. Additionally, Dr. Jordan served as the summer camp physician for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois (SCDAI) for over 15 years; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Jordan loved the Lord and served as a deacon at St. John M.B. Church for many years. He was later installed as an elder at Pullman Presbyterian Church and Journey to the Cross Ministries; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Jordan is survived by his dedicated wife Pastor Jeanette, and their loving children Bryan Jordan (Tishia), Elder Allison Jordan Jackson (Rael), Christa Jordan Mitchem, Drew Pittman (Ralph), Edilah Jordan, and Jeremiah Fritzgerald; Their loving grandchildren Brytish, Bryan II, Jordan, Zion, Zoe, Josiah, Machai, and Aniya; His siblings: Paula, Fred and Deborah Fountain (Phillip); His nephews: Rickson, John, Fred II, Corichey, Hansel, Karl, and Joshua; His godson Kenton Rainey and great nieces Tracey, Jylen and Genesis; and
WHEREAS, he was preceded in death by his parents Eddie Lee and Pauline and sisters Diane and Carrie and his son-in-law Jeffrey Mitchem; and
WHEREAS, we know and are comforted by the fact that Robert was loved by a host of friends, relatives and patients;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the President, Commissioner Donna Miller and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby offer its deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the family and loved ones of Dr. Robert Andrew Jordan; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and a suitable copy be presented to the family of Dr. Robert Andrew Jordan so that his memory may be so honored and ever cherished.
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