Robert Nord

Robert William “Bob” Nord died May 3. Born Dec. 11, 1921, in Anacortes, he spent most of his life in Everett. A graduate of Everett High School and the University of Washington, Nord was a World War II veteran who served in Italy. His father, who founded the E.A. Nord Co. in 1924, was a boy in 1903 when his parents emigrated from Sweden. Jeld-Wen Inc. bought Nord in 1986 for $15 million after a bitter strike lasting more than two years. The strike ousted Local 1054 of the Lumber Production and Industrial Workers union, The 2005 closing of Jeld-Wen, which operated in Everett without a union, cost about 160 workers their jobs. Robert Nord “was an amazing gentleman. He always reached out to people,” said Pam McClure, his daughter. Nord is also survived by his son, Scott Nord, son-in-law Tony McClure, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Bette Nord, who died in 1997; daughter Patricia Arness; and older brother Russell Nord, who was killed in the Battle of Saipan in 1944.