Robert "Bob" Ford (2011)

FORD, BEEM, HOLLIDAY, JOHNSON

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart (email)
Date: 1/6/2011 at 20:06:31

Winterset Madisonian, Winterset, Iowa
December 2010

Robert "Bob" Ford, 80, of Nampa, Idaho, passed away at a local retirement center in Nampa on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010.

A memorial service to honor and celebrate his life was held on Thursday, Dec. 9, at the Caldwell Christian Church in Caldwell, Idaho. Military honors were provided by personnel from Mt. Home Air Force Base. A private inurnment followed at the Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Caldwell.

Bob was born on Feb. 25, 1930, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of Fred and Lenore Ford. At a young age the family moved to Winterset, where Bob was raised on a farm. He graduated from high school in 1948 and in the fall of that year he joined the United States Air Force. He loved being a part of the US Air Force and felt privileged to serve his country. Bob married Margaret Holliday of Winterset in April of 1951.

He was awarded an Air Force Commendation Medal for his loyalty to service. For one month he performed his own duty and also the duty of a Major in his office – long and hard hours and never a complaint. But that was Bob. He was assigned to the Airborne Command Post in Washington, DC. He spent five days on base in an ever-ready emergency mode and five days at home. He loved it. He was flying, and never a complaint. But that was Bob.

Bob retired from the Air Force in 1970. He worked at Bulldog Lanes in Nampa for a short time and then for Symms Fruit Ranch for about nine years where he made many new friends and enjoyed farming again.

Bob had four passions in his life – his family, the Air Force, a place called Warm Lake and bowling. One day while still in the service and visiting his wife Marge's family in Nampa, they took Bob and Marge to Warm Lake. While sitting on the lakeshore and viewing that majestic scenery he resolved to one day owning a cabin in that magnificent spot.

Well, his wish came to being in 1978 – a cabin on the lake! Never mind that it was so old that we could see the stars through the roof when we're in bed. Those stars were shining on us at Warm Lake! There were many wonderful years spent with family and friends at the lake, and special time spent with his son Steve, sitting on the dock fishing together.

Bob also had a passion for bowling. He became a very accomplished bowler and won many awards both as an individual and on a team. But most of all he won the respect of hundreds of fellow bowlers. He always had a word of encouragement for everybody. If not bowling very well on a given day he never complained. But that was Bob.

In 1980 he bought Caldwell Bowling. More long hours, and hard work. But he loved it and loved the many friends he made at the bowling center.

Bob loved his family, and was an especially loving and caring husband to Marge and a wonderful father to Steve! For that we will be forever grateful!

Soar with the eagles Bob! We love you.

Bob is survived by his wife, Marge; son, Steve; brother, Henry (Bonnie) Ford of Hamilton, Mo.; sister-in-law, Shirley Ford of Des Moines; niece, Jeanne (Irv) Johnson of Des Moines; nephew, Craig (Georgia) of Bellevue, Neb., and many other nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Frederick and a sister, Betty Ann.

Memories and condolences may be sent to http://www.alsipfuneralchapel.com