Paul Clifton Jorgensen

Paul Clifton Jorgensen, age 79, of Rockford, Michigan passed away at his home on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Paul was born in Oak Park, Illinois, the oldest of three siblings to parents, George and Alice Jorgensen. He earned a bachelor’s degree from North Central College in Naperville, IL (1964), a Master of Mathematics from University of Illinois (1965), and from Arizona State University (1985), he was the first person to graduate with a Ph. D. in Computer Science. Paul enjoyed a wonderful career working for GTE for 20 years. He then was a professor of Computer Science at Grand Valley State University for 29 years. He retired in 2017 with the honor of professor emeritus. Paul authored nine software engineering textbooks during his career. His passions included story-telling, sailing, and volunteering at the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Paul will be lovingly remembered for always having a good joke and an excellent sense of humor. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Phil and Larry Jorgensen. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Carol Jorgensen and his children, Kirsten (Robert) Montroy, Katia (Scott) Littrell, Kimberly (Gerard Lopez) Lindblade, and Cameron Lindblade. He is a proud grandfather to 8 beautiful grandchildren, Abbie, Max, Zoe, Hope, Vivian, Nora, Gigi and Jack. A private celebration of life will take place for Paul’s close family and friends at a later time. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Michigan (989 Spaulding Ave. SE, Ada, MI 49301; hom.org).