Richard E. Ford

On February 12, 2015, Richard E. Dick Ford left this life to join his beloved wife, Mary Cathryn, in heaven.  Dick was born on a farm near Rushmore, Ohio on November 6, 1915.  He attended a two-room school at Rushmore until moving to Toledo for the seventh grade at Longfellow, followed by graduating in the firt class of DeVilbiss High School in 1933.  He was chairman of the 1933 Golden DeVilbiss Alumni for many years. After graduating from Tri-State University he married Mary Cathryn Reeg on December 21, 1940.  She preceded him in death in August of 2004 after 63 years together. Dick enlisted in March of 1942 in the U.S. Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet program and graduated as a pilot and was assigned to the B-25s during World War II.  He completed 53 combat missions in Africa, Sicily, and Italy where he was awarded the Air Medal with 7 clusters and the Presidential Unit citation with 3 stars.  Upon his return to the United States, he became a combat instructor for student pilots until honorably discharged in 1945. Dick entered the life insurance business in 1945 and eventually became the regional manager for the Bankers Life Insurance Company (now Principal Financial Group), relinquishing management duties after 33 years.  In recent years, he still maintained an office to serve his many clients, until his death. For 25 years during his career, Dick was an instructor for insurance courses at the University of Toledo for study leading to the Chartered Life Underwriter designation.  He was past President of the Toledo Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.  He was also past President of the Toledo Life Managers Association and the Society of Financial Service Professionals.  In the 1970s, Dick was named and honorary life member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, only the 4th person so designated at that time in the United States. Dick was a life member of the 57th Bomb Wing Veterans, the Toledo Post #335 American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was proud of his life membership in the Old Newsboys Association and was a 50-year member of the Toledo Club.  Dick was also a member of Paragon Lodge F. A.M., Scottish Rite, Valley of Toledo and Zenobia Shrine. When not traveling worldwide, the family spent summers at their home at Clear Lake, Indiana. In 1927, Dick became active in the Boy Scouts at Calvary United Methodist Church and transferred his church membership to Calvary.  He has since been a member, serving in every church office for the last 70-plus years. Dick is survived by his only daughter, Margaret A. Ball (Ronald, deceased); grandson, Daniel S. Ball (Elva); great-granddaughters, Lydia, Esther, and Anna; and great-grandson, Benjamin. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, February 14, 2015 in the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. (west of Corey Rd.). Memorial contributions may be sent to the memorial fund at Calvary United Methodist Church, 3939 Jackman Rd., Toledo, OH 43612.  Please, no flowers.