Jerome P. "Jerry" Gordman

1938 - 2022

Gordman, Jerome P. "Jerry"

September 26, 1938 - November 24, 2022

Jerome P. "Jerry" Gordman died Nov. 24 at the Nebraska Medical Center. Born in Omaha in 1938, he was the eldest son of Dan and Esther Gordman. The 1956 graduate of Omaha Central High School participated in Junior ROTC, Chess Club, and played French horn in the school's band and orchestra. Along the way, he became an Eagle Scout. While a student at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, Jerry played French horn in three ensembles: a suburban Philadelphia symphony; the Pennsylvania University Orchestra; and the Jimmy DePreist Brass Ensemble. After graduating from Penn in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in economics, he married Omaha native Linda Rosenbaum.

Soon after their marriage, the couple moved to Fort Lee, Virginia, where Jerry went on active duty as an Army second lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps.

When the couple returned to Omaha in 1962, Jerry joined Richman Gordman Stores Inc., a department store chain. Founded in 1915 in downtown Omaha as Richman's Outfitters to the Family by his grandfather, Sam Richman. Dan Gordman partnered with Richman in 1936 and married his daughter Esther. In 1948 a second store was opened in South Omaha and the name of the store was changed to Richman Gordman. Jerry began as a buyer of children's and boys' apparel. Four years later, he became general merchandise manager, a position he held until 1975 when he began serving as the chain's executive vice president until he left the company in 1984. In 1976, while still with Richman Gordman, he and his wife founded Kalico's Inc., a clothing store for children and teens. Kalico's closed in 1997. In 1998, he became president and CEO of Gordman Properties Co., a commercial real estate development firm. He continued in that position until his death. For decades, Jerry played horn in musical ensembles including the Heartland Philharmonic Orchestra, Iowa Western Community Band and the Intergeneration Orchestra of Omaha. For more than 40 years, he blew the shofar during High Holy Days services at Beth El Synagogue. He served on a variety of boards and had been treasurer of Beth El and president of the Friedel Jewish Academy and the Dan Gordman Education Fund. Survivors include his wife, Linda R. Gordman of Omaha; son Jeff Gordman (Danielle) and daughter Lisa Marcus (Howard), both of Omaha; daughter Randi Gordman (Rand Monteleone) of Acton, Massachusetts; brother Nelson Gordman (Linda) and sister Deborah Platt, both of Omaha; and grandchildren Sam Lieb, Anna and Jamie Monteleone, and Harper and Zev Gordman.

A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held Nov. 27, 4 p.m. at Beth El Synagogue, 14506 California St., with private family burial at Mt. Sinai Cemetery. Memorials to the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home or the Milton Marcus Instrumental Music Endowment Fund at Beth El Synagogue.

John A. Gentleman Mortuaries and Crematory

1010 N. 72nd St. 402-391-1664 www.johnagentleman.com