LEWISTON — When Dr. Fred Jordan became Oklahoma chief medical examiner, tornadoes were the primary concern when it came to disasters affecting the state. Then came April 19, 1995, when terrorists Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols parked a bomb laden vehicle next to the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building and detonated it.

Jordan will speak at the Lewiston-Auburn Senior College Food for Thought luncheon on Friday, Oct. 13, about his experiences during that time. He said, “The terrorist bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building took away the innocence of a large prairie city in our heartland. It also brought people together as never before.” The lessons learned then were important for effective response to later tragedies, including 9/11.

Before becoming chief medical examiner, Jordan was deputy chief medical examiner for Maine. After graduating from Bowdoin College, he earned his doctorate of medicine from Tufts University. Following an internship at Maine Medical Center, then a residency at Central Maine General Hospital, he completed fellowship studies in forensic pathology and legal medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Medical College.

Now living in Poland, Jordan is officially retired. However, in 2015, he completed the program at the Chaplaincy Institute and was ordained. He is now hospice chaplain for the Unitarian Universalist and United Church of Christ denominations.

The public is invited to join members of Senior College for his presentation at the Lewiston Campus, University of Southern Maine, 50 Westminster St., Room 170.

Lunch is $8 by reservation only. Reservations must be made before noon Wednesday, Oct. 11. Those without a reservation may purchase a lunch and are welcome to listen to the speaker.

Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 13. Jordan’s presentation will begin at noon.

FMI, RSVP: 207-753-6510.

After a career as a chief medical examiner in Oklahoma, Dr. Fred Jordan moved back to his native Maine, studied to become a chaplain and started volunteering at Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice. He was named the statewide Maine Home Care Volunteer of the Year in 2016. Jordan will present at the Food For Thought luncheon on Friday, Oct. 13.

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