Herbert Jordan
My father, Herbert Jordan, who was once blind, now can see. Who was old, now young, who shuffled, now runs across fields filled with liquid color and light. His lungs fill with the sweetest air of a child released from school to an unending summer vacation.
You see my father, who was doing wonderfully in Brookline rehab, went into sudden cardiac arrest December 29. His life was full, his mind sharp to the end. Although being blind, he lamented no longer learning ... “after not reading for 10 years, I'm getting stupid!” he said. He was everything but.
He loved to learn and to teach and he always made you think, listen and remember. He even committed his body to a medical school, thus teaching even beyond his earthly mission. A PSU associate professor, prolific writer, poet, evangelist, having passed out 450,000 gospel tracts.
My father was also a U.S. Air Force major and pilot.
He was a father of four, grandfather of five and great-grandfather of 10.
He spent this Christmas holiday with family from all over the United States. His passing, although sudden and startling, was clearly both timely and graceful. One-minute walking in halting steps with a walker in total darkness then in a flash, he opened his eyes for the first time in a decade and found himself running, even skimming across lakes kicking up a spray as resplendent as diamonds shimmering with lights of rainbow hues.
Although blind, Herbert Jordan often said, “I listen to the music in people's voice.” Again, he made me think ... “what is the music in my voice?” I wonder what music now surrounds him? Does his music now have color, texture and flavor in heaven? Is the C sharp note a smooth purple grape sound while a B flat a crystalline tangy yellow lemon? He loved to sing. I am certain his deep base voice echoes in the symphony of the ages.
Herb Jordan is now soaring among the clouds with no need of propeller or plane. My thoughts echo the pilot's poem he taught me. “High Flight” by John Gillespie Magee Jr.
“I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, and danced the sky on laughter silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth of sun split clouds — and done a hundred things you have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung. High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there I've chased the shouting wind along and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long delirious burning blue I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace, where never lark or even eagle flew, and with silent lifting mind I've trod the high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand and touched the face of God.”
Herbert Jordan was 83 and well loved.
JORDAN — A memorial service for Herbert C. Jordan, who died Friday, Dec. 29, 2017, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Grace Lutheran Church, 205 Heister St., State College.Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton St., State College.Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com, or visit us on Facebook.
