Jordan Joseph Popkin

Jordan Joseph Popkin, 84, of Chatham, Massachusetts died peacefully at home on May 11th, 2011 surrounded by his wife of 47 years, Alice Brandeis Popkin and his three daughters Susan B. Cahn, Anne B. Popkin and Louisa B. Popkin. He is also survived by his son-in-law Lee S. Cahn and his two grandchildren Allison B. Cahn and Ascher B. Cahn.

Jordan was born in Salem, Massachusetts in 1927 and raised in Beverly. He attended the University of New Hampshire where he got a B.A. in Economics and became involved in theater, an interest he would maintain for his entire life. He received his M.A. in Public Administration from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and began a lifelong career in public service as both a civil servant and a community leader.

In 1961 he left the Governor’s Office in Michigan to work for the US Agency for International Development in Washington where he met Alice Brandeis Gilbert. They married in 1963 and soon after the couple moved to Rabat, Morocco for two years. He was appointed Interim Director of the Community Health Service of the U.S Public Health Service in 1971 and continued to work as a high-ranking administrator of several public health programs until his retirement after more than 30 years of service. This included the development of the Medicare program, a two year appointment to the Group Health Association, one of the first government-supported HMOs, establishing diabetes programs for the Indian Health Service, and designing preventive health programs for the Federal Employees Occupational Health Program. In addition to his work, he was active in local and national Democratic politics, served on the Parent Association of the Sidwell Friends School, participated in the Washington Hebrew Congregation, and founded a children’s clothing store.

He and Alice moved to Chatham in 1987, the town that had been the summer home to his wife’s family for multiple generations, and where he and his family had spent summers. Having had a full career in D.C., Jordan set out to fulfill his other passions and realize his values as a dedicated community activist and volunteer. His activities were many including President of the Friends of Monomoy Theater, founding member of the Cape Cod Opera, member of Chatham First Night, the Democratic Town Committee and Retired Men’s Association, elected member of the Chatham Charter Commission and appointed member to the Community Preservation Committee. A thespian at heart, he also appeared in several Monomoy Theater productions. His boundless energy ensured that despite his many commitments he made major contributions to all these organizations.

He was as passionate about the culinary arts as he was about politics, music, theater, and the arts. Many of his greatest ideas for community action were hatched around his dining room table over a marvelously prepared dinner or in his living room. He also engaged in endless political debates aimed at solving the world’s problems with his friends. As one Washington friend noted, “he was a social worker to the world.”

Without a doubt, his greatest joy was his family and not a conversation took place without an update on his children’s many endeavors and the antics of his grandchildren. He and his wife Alice cherished the fact that their family visited regularly, his granddaughter enjoyed sailing in Stage Harbor and he and his children spoke constantly.

Funeral services will take place on Sunday, May 15th at 2 pm at Nickerson’s Funeral Home, 87 Crowell Road and the family will observe Shiva at his late home Sunday from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 5:00-8:00 pm.

A Memorial Celebration of His Life will be held this August at the family’s home in Chatham.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Friends of Monomoy Theatre or the Cape Cod Opera, Inc.