Joseph Leonard Jordan

Joseph Leonard Jordan
1929 ~ 2015
Joseph Leonard Jordan passed away on January 28, 2015 in Boise, Idaho. He was born July 26, 1929 in Wallowa, Oregon to Leonard B. and Grace E. Jordan. Joe, sister Pat (Story), and brother Steve grew up on a remote sheep ranch at Kirkwood Bar in Hell's Canyon, Idaho. They were home schooled until moving to Grangeville in 1941.
Joe always credited his mother's teaching and his father's advice for finishing first in his high school class and graduation from West Point in 1952. His military service included armored cavalry and tank units in Colorado and West Germany. He resigned his Army commission in 1955 and completed a graduate degree in civil engineering at Iowa State University.
Life suddenly became more exciting in 1958 when Joe married Cynthia Anne Karlburg, a music teacher from Lewiston. She and their three children, Sue, Carol, and Len lead the "gypsy" life of design and construction, putting "togetherness" ahead of convenience. Joe's engineering assignments took them to Australia, Alaska and various sites throughout the west. Joe's home life was interrupted by brief assignments to Colombia, China, and Canada. His last position was district vice president for Morrison Knudsen in Anchorage.
In 1991 Joe and Cindy retired to build a house near Council and subsequently a cabin near Bear, Idaho. Both are located near Hell's Canyon and the Seven Devils. Renting out pasture gave the family an excuse to be in "God's Country" again.
In 1993 Joe was appointed to the Idaho Water Resource Board. His 12 years of service under three governors included a term as chairman during negotiation of the Nez Perce tribal agreement to settle water rights claims pre-dating their 1855 treaty with the government.
Joe was a member of Eagle United Methodist Church, and was active at various times in Masons, Rotary, and Exchange Club. His interests always centered around family. He maintained a lifelong interest in Native American history as well as public policy regarding rivers. Having been involved in the development and construction of some 30 dams and related projects, he appreciated the need for reasonable balance between careful use and preservation of Idaho's magnificent natural resources.
In 2003 the Jordans returned to Boise to be close to family and civilization. This meant finding homes for their two trail horses but the foothills trails were still inviting.
Joe is survived by his wife, Cindy, his children, Sue (Glen) Lovelace, Carol (Dave) Eckert and Len (Jen) Jordan, and grandchildren, Anne, Eva, and Joe Lovelace, Mary and Henry Eckert, and Tess, Emily, Grace and Jack Jordan, his brother, Steve (Colleen) Jordan and many nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family and dear friends.
The family extends our heartfelt thanks to St Luke's nurses on 7 East. You are the embodiment of compassionate care.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Waters of the West, University of Idaho Foundation, 875 Perimeter Dr, MS 443147, Moscow, Idaho 83844-3147.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Joe's memorial webpage at www.summersfuneral.com.