Jean Pierre Orban

Jean was born in Halle, Belgium, on November 11, 1936, to the late Jean Orban and Yvonne Van Bouwelen. He was the second oldest of seven children. He attended the University of Leuven, Belgium, where he earned his degree in Metallurgical Engineering.

His early career took him to Africa, where he lived and worked in both Morocco and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1983, Jean and his family moved to the Washington, D.C. area, where he enjoyed a long and fulfilling career with the World Bank. His work allowed him to continue his love of travel, taking him all over the world and exposing him to many different cultures and experiences. He especially loved sharing those experiences with his family, taking them on adventures throughout South America and Asia to introduce them to places he had come to know through his work, this time experiencing them together for the joy of travel.

Jean leaves behind his loving and devoted wife of nearly 50 years, Véronique Orban, and his five beloved children: Jean, Catherine, Caroline, Violaine, and Marie-Madeleine. He is also survived by his seven cherished grandchildren: Gil and Mathis Orban, Eliana Palma, Sebastian, Sophie and Julian Castro, and Luca Ichim Orban.

Our Jean, Papa, and Papy will be remembered for his love of sharing his knowledge of the world, his warm and welcoming nature, and the genuine attentiveness he showed to everyone around him. He was a true gentleman, known for his chivalry and elegant style. And, of course, he will always be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, with his entertaining funny faces and the noises he loved to make, which brought so much laughter to our family.

He will be deeply missed and forever loved by his family and all those whose lives he touched.