Jordan Kurland

JORDAN E. KURLAND, 87, passed away on January 23, 2016 at his home in Washington, D.C., leaving behind his devoted wife of almost 69 years, Anita Siegel Kurland. Survivors include four children: Harold Kurland (Christine), Stuart Kurland (Donna), Sheila Putnam, and Jon Kurland (Anne). He leaves behind eight grandchildren: Tom Kurland (Kacie Lally), Andrew Kurland, Bradley Putnam (Ellen), Tyler Putnam, Michael Kurland, Alex Kurland, Sam Kurland, and Meg Kurland. A native of Boston, Jordan attended Dartmouth College and earned B.A. and M.A. degrees in History at Boston University before commencing advanced study at the Russian Institute at Columbia University. He earned a Fulbright fellowship to conduct research in the Netherlands for his dissertation on Dutch-Russian relations in the 17th century; a second fellowship enabled a year of study in the Soviet Union. Jordan began his teaching career in the History Department of the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina, in Greensboro. In 1965, he joined the professional staff of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) in Washington, D.C. Throughout his 50-year career at the AAUP, he focused passionately on defending academic freedom, which he did with rare insight and vigor until his recent hospitalization. Jordan’s funeral will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2016, at the Stanetsky Memorial Chapel, 1668 Beacon St., Brookline, MA at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at the Tifereth Israel of WInthrop Cemetery, Fuller St., Everett, MA. A memorial celebration is planned for Washington, D.C. this spring. In lieu of flowers, the family invites contributions to charity. Those who wish may direct contributions to the AAUP Foundation's Academic Freedom Fund in memory of Jordan E. Kurland.