We met Bob in 1982 when he was a public affairs officer working with the US Information Agency (USAI), the public diplomacy arm of the US Department of State. While serving in the Philippines in 1989, Bob and his wife Bette welcomed USAI Co-Founders Esther G. Kee and Joji Konoshima and then-Executive Director Mary Sue Bissell, into their home, hosting a reception to introduce USAI to many of their friends and colleagues across Manila.    In addition, Bob was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the Manila prong of USAI’s traveling conference.   In May 1990, a core group of 25 mid-level leaders from the US, China, Korea, Japan, and the then-six countries of ASEAN participated in USAI’s National Leadership Conference at the US Department of State in Washington DC.  The group then traveled to Beijing, Tokyo, and Manila where they were joined by 150 additional leaders from business, government, and academia in each location to discuss current challenges and opportunities in the US-Asia relationship.

After leaving the US Information Agency in the 1990s, Bob volunteered his time at the US-Asia Institute, traveling with USAI co-founder and then-President Joji Konoshima on a Congressional staff delegation to Singapore.

Then, in 2007 Bob returned to the Institute as a senior advisor and serving as Vice President of International and Government Affairs. In this role, he worked closely with the Asian diplomatic community as well as with the U.S. Congress, and numerous delegations from Asia.

As was noted in a May 9, 2012, tribute in the Congressional Record, Bob was:

.. committed to the mission and goals of the US-Asia Institute, promoting dialogue on international issues of common interest to the United States and Asian nations, whenever and however possible. In the course of his work, Mr. Jordan has led numerous delegations of Congressional staff to China and Singapore. He spent his 80th birthday on the Great Wall of China. In his retirement, Mr. Jordan continues to work tirelessly to promote mutual understanding and communication between the U.S. and the countries and people of Asia.

Bob contributed to programs at USAI in-person until 2019, including the Institute’s Congressional educational 101 briefings, welcoming foreign delegations, interfacing with diplomats from the 15 countries USAI works with, traveling with Congressional delegations across China and so much more.  Bob was ALWAYS there when we needed him.

In addition, he believed in the young people who came through USAI’s door, recognizing their important role in the future of the US-Asia relationship.  He mentored dozens of young students who came to USAI as interns or part of the US-China Rule of Law Program. He welcomed them into his home each July to experience a traditional American BBQ – a truly amazing cultural experience especially for the Chinese students. 

Further, he was instrumental in creating the Thai American National Internship Program in 2015, providing young Thai Americans with a once-in-a-lifetime experience to gain a firsthand look at the American government and political system in Washington DC, and to reflect on the role they, as future leaders, might play in strengthening the US-Thai relationship while learning about the importance of civic engagement. 

Bob was at the center of so many USAI initiatives and impacted so many lives at the Institute but also on Capitol Hill, in the diplomatic community, and around the world.    Rest in peace, our dear friend.  You may be gone but the memories and your tremendous influence live on.  Thank you for sharing your wisdom, your special insights, and most of all – your friendship with us all.