Jordan R. Uttal, a founder and past-president of the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA), died Nov.15 at Presbyterian Hospital, Dallas. He was born July 30, 1915, in New York City.

A veteran of World War II, Jordan enlisted as a private in December 1941 and served in the Army Air Force in England. He married Joyce, a Red Cross field director at the air base, in 1944. He returned to civilian life in November 1945 with the rank of Major and numerous military honors and decorations. In October 1948, Jordan co-founded the Second Air Division Association as a memorial to those who served. A library was established in Norwich, England, and is currently endowed by the IDDBA. He served as president twice and was Honorary Life Governor.

Jordan had a 50-year career as a respected leader in the cheese industry, retiring in 1980 from the Purity Cheese Division of Anderson Clayton/Kraft Foods (now a division of Associated British Foods). His leadership was recognized with numerous awards. He served as president of the International Cheese and Deli Association (now the IDDBA) 1970-71, was a founder and president of the American Blue Cheese Association and a director of the National Cheese Institute. He loved cheese and made many friends in his years in our industry.

Information on IDDBA's research, education and other industry activities is also available on its Web site, www.iddba.org.