Memorial

Robert E. “Bob” Ford, died Sunday, March 29 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, due to complications of chronic heart disease.  Burial was held at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 23, 2021 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. 

He was born October 22, 1925 in Cedar Rapids, The son of Patrick and Mabel (O’Hanlon) Ford. He married Arlis A. Kirsch on June 9, 1951 in Charles City, Iowa.

Bob graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in Cedar Rapids, attended Coe College, the University of Iowa as an undergraduate student and graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1952. He practiced law in Cedar Rapids for 25 years and then accepted an appointment by the Iowa governor to serve as an Iowa district court judge. He served nine years in this capacity as Assistant Chief Judge. After his retirement, he returned to practice law as a member of the law firm; Klinger, Robinson and Ford. He was also a character member of the Board of Directors of the United Security Savings Bank in Cedar Rapids.

Bob served his country in during World War II in the United States Navy. He served for three years as a Radioman second class in the Pacific Ocean Theater. After the Japanese surrender, he was assigned to the Port Director Unit at Nagoya, Japan until he returned home and was honorably discharged from the Navy.

Bob spent most of his life helping others in their time of need. He was a member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 788, the Disabled American Veterans, Knights of Columbus, Elks Club, Linn County Bar Association, Board of Governors Iowa State Bar Association. He was chairman of the Cedar Rapids Riverfront Improvement Commission for many years. He also was President of the St. Jude Parish School Board, Coe College Alumni Council and the Iowa State Bar Foundation.

Bob was an avid fisherman and the family put many miles on their fishing boat. The family had a retirement home on a Northern Minnesota Lake for many years. Bob and Arlis traveled a lot making several trips to Europe and one to Ireland as well as winters in their home in Sun City West Arizona.

Surviving is his wife Arlis Ford of 68 years, his children; Jeffrey (Vicki) Ford of Dallas, Texas, Patrick Ford of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, David (Melinda) Ford of Onalaska, Wisconsin, Jennie ( Jim) Ward of Mankato, Minnesota, Edward Ford of Lake Shore, Wisconsin and Elizabeth (Jack Klapper) Ford of Tipton, Iowa.  Also surviving are 4 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Donald Ford and Gene Ford. 

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association.