Memorial
Horst Jordan, 88, of Iowa City, Iowa, passed away on March 28, surrounded by his loving wife, Reingard “Reiny”, of 67 years, his two sons, Thomas and Norbert, his daughter-in-law, Kimberly, and grandchildren. Horst will always be remembered for his quick smile, keen sense of humor, and selflessness in supporting others. Horst adored his family and demonstrated his values through a steadfast commitment to his family and work.
Born in 1936 in Wolfen, (East) Germany, Horst was raised in Bregenz, Austria, with his Aunt and Uncle due to the conditions of World War II. At age 9, he moved back to Wolfen, East Germany, to live with his parents and brother, where he spent his remaining teenage years.
Horst met Reiny, his wife, in 1952 in Bitterfeld, near Wolfen, on the sports fields, when they were teenagers. They fell in love and became engaged in early 1956, ultimately marrying on October 4, 1957. Horst had a passion for starting a new life and creating a better opportunity for his family. Horst and Reiny bravely escaped Eastern Germany on a livestock train in July 1956, leaving family and friends behind to begin again in the West.
In 1959, Horst and Reiny moved to Buffalo, New York, through a sponsorship of the Lutheran Church. Once in Buffalo, Horst worked as a lab technician at the Children’s Hospital while completing his college education. He arrived in the United States not speaking English, and taught himself the language, although he would always keep his wonderful German accent. Horst was always proud of his life in the United States and was passionate about blending the best of American life while incorporating his German heritage.
Given Horst’s commitment and aptitude, Dr. Norman Thomson and Dr. Peter Vlad became his professional mentors in New York. Beginning in 1960, Horst collaborated with Dr. Thomson on a research program that supported infants undergoing open-heart surgery. In 1963, Dr. Vlad asked Horst to join him in Iowa City, Iowa, to create the department of pediatric cardiology. Horst was dedicated and passionate about his work at the University of Iowa Hospital's pediatric cardiology department for nearly 35 years, from 1963 to 1998.
In Iowa City, Horst made numerous friends and was often seen at the local German Stammtisch, where he would spend time with his peers and enjoy his favorite German beer. Horst became an accomplished and competitive tennis player, continuing to play the game well into his seventies. He treasured time with his family, friends, annual ski vacations in Colorado and Utah, International Student Exchange programs, music, theater, opera, and Iowa sports, for which he held season tickets for over 50 years.
Horst is survived by his wife, Reingard; sons, Norbert (Kimberly) and Thomas (Diane); and grandchildren, Nicholas (Ashley), Patrick, Magdalena, Maximilian, and Mariella.
No services are planned.