Robert H. Jordan, 83; retired insurance executive

Robert H. Jordan, 83, formerly of King of Prussia, a retired insurance company executive, tennis enthusiast, and father of professional tennis players Barbara and Kathy Jordan, died of complications from an infection July 25 at the Veterans Affairs Hospice in Palo Alto, Calif.

Mr. Jordan moved to California in May to be close to his daughters. He'd had health problems since falling on the tennis court at Brandywine Racquet Club in Glen Mills in March.

A tennis player since he was 10, Mr. Jordan competed in numerous amateur tournaments, including matches for 80s-and-over players. "He taught me to play at the Cynwyd Club when I was about 6," Kathy Jordan said. Later he played with her and Barbara at Martin's Dam Club after work.

Kathy Jordan was once ranked No. 5 in the world in singles and won seven Grand Slam doubles titles. Barbara Jordan won the Australian Open singles title in 1979.

Mr. Jordan was a tennis linesman and umpire; ran a tennis tournament for girls at the Cynwyd Club; and was former treasurer of the Philadelphia Tennis Patrons Association. In 1991 he published a guide for players, Tennis for Winners!!

Mr. Jordan, whose parents were natives of Scotland, grew up in Highland Park, N.J. During World War II, he served in the Navy in the Pacific.

After his discharge, he earned a bachelor's degree from Rutgers University. He met his wife, Virginia C. Jordan, while working at Equitable Life Insurance in New York.

In 1957, Mr. Jordan, a fellow of the Society of Actuaries, became chief actuary for the life insurance division of Insurance Co. of America in Philadelphia. He later held management positions with Provident Mutual and Manhattan Life Insurance Cos. in Philadelphia. After retiring from Manhattan Life in the 1990s, he was a consultant for several years.

Mr. Jordan was a member of the King of Prussia Rotary Club and was a volunteer with the Upper Merion Parks and Historic Foundation.

In addition to his wife of 53 years and daughters, he is survived by a sister and two grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. tomorrow at Bacchi-Courtney Funeral Home, 805 DeKalb St., Bridgeport.

Memorial donations may be made to Upper Merion Parks and Historic Foundation, Box 60875, King of Prussia, Pa. 19406.