5131533000.jpg &&& ROBERT H. JORDAN took up tennis as a boy, sort of on an impulse, after buying his first racket by mail order and smacking balls against a wall. But that impulse led to a lifelong passion for the sport, which he pursued not only as a player, but as an official, tournament organizer and other positions in the local and national tennis community. One of his more important contributions to the sport was coaching his two daughters, Barbara and Kathy. Both went on to play professionally, winning Grand Slam championships. He also wrote a book, "Tennis for Winners." Robert Jordan, an insurance actuary, Navy veteran of World War II and devoted family man, died July 25 of an infection after an extended illness. He was 83 and lived most of his life in King of Prussia. He was born in Highland Park, N.J., to Margaret Taylor Jordan and Robert S. Jordan, immigrants from Scotland. At age 17, he enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He graduated from Rutgers University and went to work as an actuary for Equitable Life Insurance Co. in New York City, where he met his wife, Virginia. He spent many hours studying to pass the necessary exams to become a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries. Robert moved to Philadelphia in 1957 to become the chief actuary of the Insurance Company of North America's new life-insurance company. He later held senior management positions with Provident Mutual and Manhattan Life Insurance companies. As a youth, Robert showed a natural aptitude for math and logic, which led to his career as an actuary. He was a master of the New York Times crossword puzzle and enjoyed playing bridge. "He was very logical and precise, but he had an outgoing personality and a fine sense of humor," said his daughter Kathy Jordan. Kathy, who at one time was ranked No. 5 in the world in singles, won at least one doubles title in each of the four Grand Slam tournaments. Her sister, Barbara, won the Australian Open singles title in 1979. Both were inducted into the USTA/Middle States Hall of Fame at a ceremony in the Germantown Cricket Club in 1999. They are retired from competitive tennis. The sisters were introduced to tennis by their father, who coached them for a time. They later came under the tutelage of Norman Brammall at the Cynwyd Club. Over the years, Robert served the tennis community as a teacher, an official, a linesman, an umpire, a tournament director and a fundraiser. He was former treasurer of the Philadelphia Tennis Patrons Association. In addition to the Cynwyd Club, he was active with the Brandywine Racket Club and Martins Dam Swim Club in Wayne. He ran a tennis tournament for girls at the Cynwyd Club for a number of years. Always interested in his community, Robert served on the King of Prussia Rotary Club and as a volunteer with the Upper Merion Parks and Historic Foundation. Besides his wife and daughters, he is survived by a sister, Emma Jordan Houska, and two granddaughters. Services: Memorial service 1 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Bacchi-Courtney Funeral Home in Bridgeport. A reception will follow at the Radnor Hotel in Radnor. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Upper Merion Parks and Historic Foundation, Box 60875, King of Prussia, PA 19406.