Kevin Jordan

1945 - 2026

Kevin E. Jordan, Ph.D. died on January 22, 2026, following a battle with cancer. Born 1945 in Lawrence, MA, he was the son of the late James F. and Lucy Mary (Perry) Jordan. He grew up in Lawrence in a household that, along with his parents, was shared by his eight siblings, his grandmother Mary Perry, and his Aunt Ola. He graduated from Central Catholic High School, Lawrence, MA, in 1962, and nearby Merrimack College in 1966.



In 1967, Kevin and Linda (Edmondson) married and moved to New Jersey where he received an M.A. in American History in 1969 and a Ph.D. in American Urban and Cultural History in 1972 from Rutgers University. He began his career teaching in the Rutgers system before moving to Chicago, where he taught at Roosevelt University. Kevin's love for historic buildings began while living in Oak Park, IL. While teaching at Roosevelt University, he joined the group that saved and preserved Frank Lloyd Wright's Home and Studio from demolition.



In 1975, Kevin and Linda moved to Rhode Island, where he fell in love with Bristol. There he began a long and distinguished tenure at Roger Williams College (now RWU) in 1976, remaining there until his retirement. At RWU, Kevin created the nation's first undergraduate program in Historic Preservation and served as its director until his retirement. He ensured that the program curriculum engaged students in the greater community, with a specific focus on Bristol.



Through the years, his students completed projects at Coggeshall Farm Museum; the Bristol Historical & Preservation Society; Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum; the Friends of Linden Place; the Bristol State House Foundation; and many other local and regional groups. (Students even cleaned every seat in the Performing Arts Center before the grand opening featuring the great Ethel Merman.)



Kevin served as an officer and board member for numerous organizations, including as president of Coggeshall Farm Museum, president of the Bristol Historical and Preservation Society, the first director of the Friends of Linden Place, the treasurer of the Bristol State House Foundation, and founding director of Architectural Artisanry at the former Swain School of Design. He was appointed executive secretary for the Bristol Waterfront Advisory Committee, and the chair of the Bristol Historic District Commission of which he formed as part of a select study commission for the Town.



He also managed the four-year student project to dismantle and re-erect two barns on the RWU campus that became the Performing Arts Center. He was vice-president of the Mosaico Community Development Corporation, where he created and organized the Sense of Pride educational program for the 4th grade school children of Bristol.



Kevin was a merit aid panelist for the Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities, on the Committee for the Antoinette Downing Service Grants; vice president of the National Council for Preservation Education; grant and project director for the Rhode Island Council for the Humanities; and executive secretary for the Society for the Preservation of Industrial Architecture. In 1984, Kevin was named the Alpha Chi Honor Society Faculty of the Year and in 1985 he won the RWU Faculty Service Award. In 2001, he was the recipient of the James Marston Fitch Preservation Education Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2004 he received the Frederick C. Williamson Professional Leadership Award presented by the Rhode Island Historical and Heritage Commission. In spite of all of Kevin's professional accomplishments, he consistently deferred to the importance of student-community engagement and empowerment as the catalyst for preservation, informed by a deep understanding of the past and a shared vision of the future.



Along with his parents, Kevin was predeceased by his sister Marie Heffron, his brother James, his sister Lucy-Anne Oeser, his sister Kathleen Killilea, and his nephew Sean Harris. He is survived by his wife, Linda, the person with whom he was so fortunate to share his life. Also surviving are his brother Joseph Jordan, his sisters Patricia Harris, Elizabeth Daher, and Eileen Aufiero, his sister-in-law Carolyn Lafontaine, and over 30 nieces and nephews who brought great joy to his life.



Kevin and Linda wintered in Puerto Rico for many years, finding the people wonderful, climate perfect and golf challenging. They also traveled throughout most of Europe, South America, Turkey and Egypt (his favorite). He was an excellent golfer and reluctant skier. Kevin loved classical music, operas, reading, and watching archaeology programs. Uncle Kevin was the family historian. He could put a smile on any face with his clever stories and encouraging words.



Kevin and Linda's love ran deep and they shared a joyful, vibrant life together. He will be remembered for his intellect, impish grin with sense of humor and his contributions to preserving the beauty of Bristol. He leaves a void that will be felt by his family and friends-and by the vast community of former colleagues and students who were shaped by his mentorship.



Kevin donated his body to the Brown University School of Medicine. A Celebration of Life will be held in the Fall. Details will be announced later this summer. For condolences, please visit Monahan Drabble Sherman Funeral Home at https://www.mkds.com/.