In Memoriam: Henry Kissinger (1923 – 2023)
Henry Kissinger served as National Security Advisor and Secretary of State to President Gerald R. Ford. He also served in both positions for President Richard Nixon. In 1973, Dr. Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1977, he was awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Ford. He is a Trustee of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation.
Henry Kissinger was interviewed for the Gerald R. Ford Oral History Project on April 8, 2009 by Richard Norton Smith.
Continue reading about Henry Kissinger
In Memoriam: Lena Meijer (1919 – 2022)
We grieve with our vice-chairman, Hank Meijer, the loss of his mother, Lena Meijer, an extraordinary member of our community and generous patron of our foundation. Lena Meijer, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, spouse, and partner of the late retailing entrepreneur Fred Meijer, died January 15, 2022, at the age of 102. Lena was born May 14, 1919, on the family farm near Lakeview, Michigan. She was the daughter of German immigrants George Rader and Mary Lutterloh Rader.
Continue reading about Lena Meijer at Remembering Lena Leijer
In Memoriam: Robert Barrett (1938 – 2022)
Bob Barrett passed away on January 11, 2022, of COVID-19 related complications in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He was 83 years old. Bob Barrett served President Ford in a variety of capacities, including as a military aide and as a member of the Gerald R. Ford Board of Trustees (1981-2015). To read Richard Norton Smith’s interview with Bob Barrett, please see the Gerald R. Ford Oral History project here.
Continue reading about Robert Barrett at Cision PR Newswire
In Memoriam: Robert Browne (1925 – 2022)
Bob Browne passed away peacefully on January 8, 2022, of natural causes in his home in North Palm Beach, Florida. He was 97 years old. Bob Browne served on the Gerald R. Ford Board of Trustees (1996-2019). For more on Bob Browne, please visit his Trustee biography here.
Continue reading about Robert Browne on MLive.com
In Memoriam: General Colin Powell (1937 – 2021)
Colin L. Powell, who helped guide the U.S. military to victory in the 1991 Persian Gulf War as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, then struggled a decade later over the U.S. invasion of Iraq as a beleaguered secretary of state under President George W. Bush, died Oct. 18 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. He was 84. The cause was complications from covid-19, said his assistant, Peggy Cifrino. She said Gen. Powell, who was fully vaccinated, had Parkinson’s disease and multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer that impairs the body’s ability to fight infection.
Continue reading about General Colin Powell at The Washinton Post
In Memoriam: Robert Dole (1923 – 2021)
Former Sen. Bob Dole, a Kansas lawmaker and decorated World War II veteran who never realized his ambitions to win the presidency but left an indelible mark on the nation’s capital and history, died Sunday. He was 98. Dole died in his sleep, according to an announcement from the Elizabeth Dole Foundation. For all his accomplishments, Dole wanted to be remembered for his service – particularly as a soldier who lost the use of his right arm on the battlefield in Italy. He described to Fox News in May 2013 how he wanted to be remembered: “Veteran who gave his most for his country.”
Continue reading about Bob Dole via USAToday.com
In Memoriam: Senator John W. Warner (1927 – 2021)
Warner died of heart failure at his home in Alexandria, according to Susan Magill, a former chief of staff. Born in Washington on Feb. 18, 1927, Warner was the son of John William Warner II and Martha Stuart Budd Warner. His father was an obstetrician and gynecologist who served as a field surgeon during World War I. Warner graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and joined the Navy, at the age of 18, near the end of World War II. He was discharged as a petty officer third class in 1946 and enrolled at Washington and Lee University, earning a degree in engineering. Continue reading about Senator John W. Warner via his obituary at Dignitymemorial.com.
In Memoriam: Mary Ann Keeler (1925 – 2021)
Mary Ann Keeler strived to bring art-related endeavors and other cultural events to the community in the Grand Rapids metropolitan area. Mrs. Keeler played a key role in the decision to locate the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in downtown Grand Rapids and served on the committee that chose the sculpture “Man in Space” by Judson Nelson to be placed there. Mary Ann Keeler passed away on January 14, 2021. Continue reading about Mary Ann Keeler via her obituary at MLive.com.
In Memoriam: Marvin DeWinter (1932 – 2021)
Marvin Jay DeWinter, age 88, peacefully entered his heavenly home on Monday, January 11, 2021. Mr. DeWinter was a renowned architect who was a fundamental member in the development of many established Grand Rapids buildings, including the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. Prior to designing the Ford Museum, Mr. DeWinter restored the former Pantlind Hotel, and developed & designed the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in 1980. Continue reading about Marvin DeWinter via his obituary at MLive.com.
In Memoriam: Penny Circle (1940 – 2020)
Penny began her long career with President and Mrs. Ford on May 1, 1978. The Ford family and trustees are ever grateful to Penny for all her years of loyal service. In a world of expanding media, she was protective of the First Family and managed the difficult feat of balancing the Fords’ public duties with their private lives. In the face of daily challenges, she was an unflappable adviser. Steve Ford added that “Penny, as Dad’s personal assistant, kept the trains running on time with grace and firmness. She was like family after all those years of working with Mom and Dad.” Penny Circle passed away on November 4, 2020, in her daughter’s home in Calabasas, CA. Continue reading about Penny Circle via her obituary at deserts.com.
In Memoriam: Peter Secchia (1937 – 2020)
Ambassador Peter F. Secchia, distinguished businessman, community and political leader, philanthropist—and much more—passed away on October 21, 2020. He was 83. Peter was a father, husband, friend, proud Italian, and self-made businessman who threw himself fully into everything he did—into every detail of every endeavor. He was legendary for making things happen and for his creative, hard-driving, and, yes, candid ways. And for his pink memos and smiling or frowning faces on his notes. He often was described as “larger than life” and he leaves a big hole in the collective spirit of West Michigan and in the hearts of his family and friends worldwide. Continue reading about Peter Secchia via his obituary at MLive.com and also please visit our website to learn more about Peter Secchia and the impact he had on the Ford Foundation, Grand Rapids community, and the legacies of President and Mrs. Ford.
In Memoriam: Lt. General Brent Scowcroft (1925 – 2020)
Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Brent Scowcroft, passed away, Thursday, August 6 at his home in Falls Church, Virginia at the age of 95. Brent was a dear friend and trusted colleague of President Gerald Ford and has been on the Board of Trustees of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation since 1982. Throughout his extraordinary public service career, Lt. Gen. Brent Scowcroft, has demonstrated the personal and professional qualities of integrity, strength of character, diligence, patriotism, and sound judgment. In 1991, President George H. W. Bush presented Scowcroft with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. In 1993 he was awarded an honorary knighthood — a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) — by Queen Elizabeth II. Continue reading about Lt. General Brent Scowcroft via his obituary at NYTimes.com.
In Memoriam: Seymour Padnos (1935 – 2020)
Seymour K. Padnos passed away at his home in Holland, Michigan at the age of 99 on July 9, 2020. Seymour was a longtime friend of Gerald R. Ford and served on the Board of Trustees of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation from 1998-2007. Seymour served as CEO and later Chairman of the Louis Padnos Iron and Metal Company for more than 60 years. He established the Esther and Seymour Padnos Foundation, which supports a number of organizations, including Grand Valley State University (GVSU). He and his wife Esther established The Padnos Partnership at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation so college interns could spend a semester at the Ford Library & Museum learning archival skills and the history of Gerald and Betty Ford. He was especially proud that his Distinguished Eagle Scout award was presented to him by President Gerald R. Ford. Continue reading about Seymour Padnos via his obituary at MLive.com.
In Memoriam: Paul H. O’Neill (1935 – 2020)
The Honorable Paul H. O’Neill passed away at his home in Pittsburgh on April 18, 2020, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Paul was a dear friend and trusted colleague of President Ford and has been on the Board of Trustees of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation since 1981. Throughout his extraordinary public service career, Secretary Paul H. O’Neill demonstrated the personal and professional qualities of integrity, strength of character, diligence, patriotism, and sound judgment. He was also the worthy recipientient of the 2019 Gerald R. Ford Medal For Distinguished Public Service. His dedication has made a lasting difference in the lives of many individuals, our nation, and our world. Continue reading about Paul O’Neill via his obituary at CNBC.com and also read Roger Porter’s reflection on Paul O’Neill’s lasting legacy of leadership and integrity.