Richard Flynn "Dick" Ford

Ford, Richard Flynn Dick After courageously battling cancer for 20 years, Dick Ford passed away at home at the age of 81 on Saturday, July 8th, 2017, surrounded by his family whom he loved so much. Our lives have been made so much richer by his love and devotion to family, his enthusiasm for life and his playful, even mischievous sense of humor. A hero and role model for all his family, Dick's success also taught us all to put in all our effort and to never give up. He taught us it was okay to laugh, to always find the humor in the toughest of situations. Born June 29th, 1936 to John S. and Ruth P. Ford in Bethlehem, PA, the family moved first to Tulsa, OK and then later to St. Louis, MO. When his family moved to St. Louis to open a steel distributorship, Dick attended Reed Elementary and John Burroughs Schools before being accepted to Portsmouth Priory in Rhode Island, where in addition to his studies, he wrestled and played football and golf. Dick attended Princeton University where he earned his degree in Economics, played football and was a proud and esteemed member of the Ivy Club. He graduated in 1959 and married the love of his life, Katherine Good, that August. Having enrolled in the Marine ROTC program while at Princeton, Dick completed basic training after graduating and was commissioned as an officer in the Marines at Camp Pendleton. After serving his country, Dick moved his family to St. Louis, where he began his first career as a stock broker for Merrill Lynch Company's St. Louis office. At Merrill Lynch, Dick excelled as a broker for more than 10 years, but set his sights on a new challenge when he was offered an opportunity to join 1st National Bank of St. Louis in management. 1st National Bank eventually became Centerre Bank and Dick eventually became President and CEO of Centerre Bank, where he served until the mideighties. During this time he also served his city on the Board of Civic Progress and was an active supporter of Edgewood Children's Center. Once again looking for a new challenge, Dick organized one of the earliest successful venture capital partnerships in St. Louis, Gateway Mid-America Partners, focusing on investments in medical and technology companies. He also was an active member of Washington University's Board of Trustees for many years and retired with Emeritus status. Even after retirement Dick remained active on several company boards. He developed a passion for bridge and worked hard to become a Silver Life Master, and most dear to him of all achievements, he was elected President of Crystal Downs Country Club in Frankfort, MI where he loved to spend his summers on his favorite golf course. Dick had numerous accomplishments throughout his life, but it is of his family that he was most proud. There is nothing he would not do for family or friend and he often gave generously to causes and individuals alike. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth Pringle Ford and John Simpson Ford, and his brother, John S. Ford Jr. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Katherine; his children, Flynn Ford of St. Louis, Nini Halkett (Jim) of Los Angeles, CA and Katie Jay (Chris) of Jackson, WY; his grandchildren Patrick, Ashley and Edie and his sister, Kathleen Stebbins of Chicago, IL. Services: A Memorial Service for Mr. Ford will be conducted at THE LUPTON CHAPEL, 7233 Delmar Blvd., University City on Saturday, July 15 at 11 a.m. Private interment. In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to Siteman Cancer Center Development Office, Washington University, CB 1204, 7425 Forsyth Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63105-2161 or to Wounded Warriors' Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 666758517. A SERVICE OF THE LUPTON CHAPEL