Richard “Dick” Addison Ford, age 90, of Grand Rapids and Naples, FL. passed away on Friday, March 20, 2015. Dick was born on June 3, 1924 in Grand Rapids, the son of Gerald R. Ford Sr. and Dorothy Gardner Ford. A devoted family man, he is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Ellen Ford; their three children, Linda Ford-Burba (Ted), Laurie Ford-Cassidy (Gary), and Richard P. Ford (Julie); he was so very proud of his two grandsons, Scott Burba (Meridith) of Marietta, GA and Steven Burba (Rosana) of Orlando, FL; his four great-grand children who he dearly enjoyed and loved, Elisa and Eva Burba, Jake Burba and Ali Kamel; his nieces and nephews and so many wonderful friends, many of whom called him “Uncle Dick”.
Mr. Ford will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by his family, his many long-time friends and business associates. He graduated from East Grand Rapids High School during which time he received his Eagle Scout Award. He also graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.S. Degree and a Master of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering. When his country called, Dick served faithfully in the U.S. Army Air Corp as a Second Lieutenant during W.W. II. Dick was the former owner and C.E.O. of The Ford Paint and Varnish Company of Grand Rapids, and was also Sales Manager of the Chemical Coating Division of Guardian Chemicals.
He was very active in Grand Rapids community associations as former Director of Grand Rapids Builders and Traders, also as former member of the Board of Directors of the Grand Rapids Urban League, and Past President of the Grand Rapids Art Museum. He was a member of the Gerald R. Ford Commemorative Committee, a member of the Executive Committee for the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation. More than just an avid golfer, he was Past Governor of the Golf Association of Michigan, Past Vice-President of the West Michigan Officials Association, Past United States Golf Association for Western Michigan and Rules Official for three U.S. Open Tournaments, Past President and member of Quail Run Golf Club, Naples, FL. Locally he was Past President and member of Kent Country Club.
The family will receive friends at the Metcalf and Jonkhoff Funeral Service from 3:00 to 5:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Friday. Funeral Services will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Grace Episcopal Church, 815 Hall St. SE. Private family interment service will take place at Graceland Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Evans Scholarship or to the Wounded Warrior Project. Dick’s family sends a special thank you to Dr. John Visser, and Dr. Andrew Maternowski and the staff on the acute care for the elderly unit at Spectrum Hospital Blodgett Campus for all of their many kindnesses and compassion.
To read at Metcalf and Jonkhoff Funeral Service please visit: http://www.mjfuneral.com/obits/obitlisting.php?first=Richard%20&last=Ford&postdate=2015-03-21%2010:28:43
