Robert MacDonald Ford, Jr. (May 2, 1911 – June 9, 2004)[1] was an American insurance agent who served as a Democratic[2] state representative for the Bremerton area of the State of Washington from 1941 to 1943 and from 1945 to 1953. Ford was Democratic Floor Leader of the House of Representatives; Chairman of the House Highways Committee; and instrumental in the creation of the Agate Pass Bridge between Bainbridge Island and the Olympic Peninsula.[3]
Robert Ford | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Washington House of Representatives for the 23rd district | |
| In office 1941–1943 | |
| In office 1945–1953 | |
| King County Commissioner | |
| In office February 1, 1962 – November 1, 1962 | |
| Preceded by | Howard Odell |
| Succeeded by | John T. O'Brien |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robert MacDonald Ford May 2, 1911 |
| Died | June 9, 2004 (aged 93) Bainbridge Island, Washington, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
Ford was born in New Rochelle, New York in 1911; graduated from high school in Glendale, California and earned degrees in economics and political science from the University of Washington in Seattle.[1] He served in the United States Navy during World War II on minesweepers in Iceland and at the landing at Salerno.[1]
Ford served as King County, Washington County Commissioner during the Seattle World's Fair and was instrumental in King County's acquisition of MaryMoor Farm/Park and later served as the manager of Seattle's Boeing Field.[1]
He married Nancy Elizabeth McFate of South Colby, Washington; they had a daughter and a son. He died June 9, 2004, on Bainbridge Island at the age of 93, and was survived by his children Robert MacDonald Ford, III and Linda J. Ford (Cauthers).[1]
He is known to history as a fellow sailor and close friend of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard. Ford said that when Hubbard asked for a letter of introduction, he gave Hubbard a blank sheet of letterhead which he later didn't know if he had signed, and told Hubbard "You're the writer, you write it."[4]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Flowers of the Forest". Family Tree. www.electricscotland.com. August–September 2004. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
- ^ United Press. "Annual State Census Is Proposed in Bill" Spokane Daily Chronicle February 13, 1951; p. 1, col. 4
- ^ 2005 Listing of recently deceased former members of the Washington State Legislature; Journal of the Washington State Senate February 17, 2005; p. 6
- ^ Interview about L. Ron Hubbard
- 1941 L. Ron Hubbard letter of recommendation with signature
- 1951 photo of Ford on seventh row, sixth from the left.
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