Grand Rapids

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

The Family of Gerald and Betty Ford Mourn the Passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II The Epitome of Grace, Charity, and Duty GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. –– The family of Gerald and Betty Ford was saddened to hear of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and express heartfelt...

John Logie

John Logie was selected by President Gerald R. Ford as part of a committee from Warner, Norcross & Judd in Grand Rapids, MI. The law firm researched and reviewed court precedents that were provided to President Gerald R. Ford as legal standing in the decision to pardon Richard Nixon, before he was convicted. Logie also served for 12 years as Mayor of the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Gordon VanderTill

Gordon VanderTill first interned in Gerald R. Ford’s congressional office in Washington in 1965. After college, VanderTill served in Ford’s congressional district office in Grand Rapids. In 1975, he joined the staff at the Federal Energy Administration, which later became the U.S. Department of Energy.

Hank Meijer

Hank Meijer is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan and is Co-Chairman of Meijer Inc. Hank and the Meijer family were close friends of President and Mrs. Gerald R. Ford. Hank is Vice-Chairman and a Trustee of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation. He is the author of “America’s Senator – The Unexpected Odyssey of Arthur Vandenberg.”

Joe Sweeney

Joe Sweeney is an attorney in Grand Rapids. For many years, Joe provided legal counsel to the Gerald R. Ford Commemorative Committee and Presidential Museum and to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation. Joe Sweeney was interviewed for the Gerald R. Ford Oral History Project on May 10, 2010 by Richard Norton Smith.

John Baab

John Baab is a Trustee of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation and previously served as Foundation Treasurer. John Baab was interviewed for the Gerald R. Ford Oral History Project on May 14, 2010 by Richard Norton Smith.

John Engler

John Engler is a former Governor of Michigan. He is a Trustee of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation. Engler was interviewed for the Gerald R. Ford Oral History Project on January 27, 2010 by Richard Norton Smith.

John Fifer

John Fifer served in the U.S. Navy with Gerald R. Ford aboard the USS Monterey. Fifer was interviewed for the Gerald R. Ford Oral History Project on May 14, 2010 by Richard Norton Smith.

Jon Nunn

Jon Nunn is active in Michigan politics and assisted with travel arrangements for President Ford and Mrs. Ford in their later years. Nunn was interviewed for the Gerald R. Ford Oral History Project on August 7, 2008 by Richard Norton Smith.

Marty Allen

Marty Allen was successful in banking, retiring as Executive Vice President from Old Kent Bank & Trust. He has continued his commitment of service to the Grand Rapids community throughout the years. Allen served as an Honorary Pallbearer at Gerald R. Ford’s State Funeral. He is a Trustee and Chairman Emeritus of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation.

Marvin DeWinter

Marvin DeWinter was the architect for the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. DeWinter was interviewed for the Gerald R. Ford Oral History Project on May 15, 2010 by Richard Norton Smith.

Maury DeJonge

Maury DeJonge was a reporter at The Grand Rapids Press, where he covered local government and politics for 30 years. He covered President Gerald R. Ford’s career and later served as the Kent County Clerk in Michigan.

Peter Secchia

Peter Secchia was a friend of Gerald and Betty Ford. He is extremely active in supporting Michigan Republican politics and the Western Michigan community. He served as Ambassador to Italy under President George H.W. Bush. He served as an Honorary Pallbearer at Gerald R. Ford’s State Funeral. He serves as a Trustee of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation.

Fred Meijer

Fred Meijer was native of Michigan and close friend of President Gerald R. Ford. Meijer was Chairman of the Meijer supermarket chain. Meijer was an Honorary Pallbearer at President Ford’s funeral services in Grand Rapids.

Ralph Hauenstein

Ralph Hauenstein was a life-long friend of President Gerald R. Ford. He was a highly decorated Colonel in the U.S. Army. His philanthropy has benefited a variety of organizations devoted to education and medical research in West Michigan. Hauenstein founded the Van Andel Institute and helped establish the neurological center at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. At Grand Valley State University, his generosity made possible the founding of the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies. He is a Trustee of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation.

Rich DeVos

Rich DeVos was a long-time close friend of President Gerald R. Ford and served as an Honorary Pallbearer at his State Funeral. DeVos is the co-founder of Amway and also the owner of the National Basketball Association franchise the Orlando Magic. He is an Honorary Trustee of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation.

Seymour Padnos

Seymour Padnos was a longtime friend of President Gerald R. Ford. Padnos serves as Chairman of the Louis Padnos Iron and Metal Co. He established the Esther and Seymour Padnos Foundation, which supports a number of organizations, including Grand Valley State University. The Padnos Hall of Science and the Padnos College of Engineering and Science at GVSU are named for him. He is a Trustee of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation.

Tom Kauper

Tom Kauper served at the Department of Justice during the Presidency of Gerald R. Ford and Richard Nixon. He served as Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Legal Counsel and then as Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Antitrust Division. Kauper is a professor at the University of Michigan Law School. He is a Trustee of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation.

Vern Ehlers

Vern Ehlers served as Kent County Commissioner, then served in the Michigan legislature in both the House and Senate. He was elected to President Ford’s former Congressional seat and served from 1993 until 2011.

Werner Veit

Werner Veit began his career as a sports reporter at the Grand Rapids Herald in 1949. He moved to the Grand Rapids Press in 1959 where he would later become the Editor, Publisher and President of Booth Newspapers. He served on the Ford presidential museum committee.

David Mehney

Mr. Mehney is a Michigan native and has been President of The KMW Group, Inc. since 1966. Then Congressman Ford participated in a ribbon cutting at a new KMW building in Grand Rapids in 1972, and the two remained close after those early years in Michigan. He is a Trustee of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation.

Bill Gill

Bill Gill was a friend of President Gerald R. Ford. Gill was interviewed for the Gerald R. Ford Oral History Project on May 7, 2009 by Richard Norton Smith.

David Frey

David Frey has enjoyed a successful career in the banking industry including serving as President and Chairman of Union Bank & Trust and Union Bancrop. Frey has been actively involved in community affairs and other philanthropic causes in Grand Rapids and the State of Michigan. He served as an Honorary Pallbearer at Gerald R. Ford’s State Funeral. He is a Trustee of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation.

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