Jordan R. Uttal, a founder and past president of the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA), died on Nov. 15, 2009, at Presbyterian Hospital, Dallas. He was born July 30, 1915, in New York, N.Y.

A veteran of World War II, Uttal returned to civilian life in November 1945 with the rank of major, and numerous military honors and decorations. He then enjoyed 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. His leadership was recognized with numerous awards.

Uttal also was president of the International Cheese and Deli Association (now the IDDBA) from 1970 to 1971, a founder and president of the American Blue Cheese Association and a director of the National Cheese Institute.