ROBERT FRANCIS FORD

Ford, Robert Francis
78, of Rio Verde, Arizona died on November 2, 2013. Bob was born and grew up in East Weymouth and was in the first graduation class of Archbishop Williams. Thereafter he joined the Navy and served as an electronics technician (Petty Officer First Class) on the USS Lake Champlain and was decorated with various citations and commendations for bravery and valor. He returned to Boston and completed his undergraduate, Master's and Doctorate degrees in Electrical Engineering at Northeastern University. While there he excelled in football and hockey, being inducted into the early Athletic Hall of Fame for his achievements. He also played the 1960 season for the Baltimore Colts professional football team. After a stint at Sylvania he joined Data General, a pioneer in the mini computer world. In 1973 he ventured west and took a position as Project Engineer at the National Laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico, retiring in 1993. He chaired the computer science department at the University of New Mexico - Los Alamos. During his lifetime he enjoyed many athletic pursuits, in particular skiing at Wildcat Mountain as an early member of the Brockton Ski Club. He loved golf as well, serving as a Rules Official for the Arizona Golf Association. Bob is survived by Denise Andre Ford, his wife of 32 years; his brother, George M Ford, of Hingham, MA; his niece, Tammy Ford, nephew, Scott Ford, both of Hingham, Massachusetts together with his grandnephews and grandniece. In accordance with Bob's wishes, no services will be held.