Robert Ford

Robert Ford

January 24, 1949 - March 23, 2023

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Obituary

Robert "Bob" Ford, age 74, of Platteville died Thursday, March 23, 2023 at his home in Platteville. He was born January 24, 1949 in Dubuque, Iowa, was adopted and became the much loved son of Dr. Lawrence A. and Francille M. (Bloedorn) Ford. Bob was raised in Lamont, Iowa where he attended grade school and graduated from Starmont High School in 1967. He attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Bob started working for Goodyear Tire Company in several Iowa locations, including Ottumwa, Newton, and Des Moines, Iowa. He later came to Platteville and partnered with the other owners of Schaefer Tire, later to become Tandem Tire. Up until retirement he worked for US Autoforce and Tire.

Bob was a lifelong golfer and was a member of the Platteville Golf and Country Club for many years, including serving on their board. He enjoyed trips to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Gulf Shores, Alabama to golf with friends. In recent years he loved playing cards with his friends at the country club. Bob was an avid sports fan. He was a fan and booster of Platteville Pioneer Basketball. He was a dedicated Iowa Hawkeye basketball and football fan. He even had the Hawkeye symbol tattooed on his shoulder! He followed Wisconsin Badger Basketball and enjoyed going to a few games. He was a proud Chicago Bears fan. He loved Nascar and was able to attend the Daytona 500 where he saw his favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt. A car lover, he owned multiple Corvettes over the years.

Bob is predeceased by his former wife Karen (Cannon) Ford and survived by sons Robert "Rob" (Melissa) Ford of Des Moines, Iowa and Anthony "Tony" (Shantelle) of Ankeny, Iowa. He is survived by former wife Roxane (Ruppert) Schult and daughter Lauren (Noah) Pancratz of Madison, Wisconsin. He is survived by six grandchildren, Jack Ford, Shayna, Jordan and Sydney Ford, and Everley and Ford Pancratz; a sister, Beth (Rob) Hampel of McKinney, Texas; a nephew, Myke Hampel. He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family wants to thank Agrace Hospice for their care these last couple months, as well as Bob's close friends, Bob, John and Chris for their friendship and support. A visitation for Bob Ford will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023 from 1:00 until 4:00PM at the Melby Funeral Home in Platteville. A memorial service will follow at 4:00PM at the funeral home. The Melby Funeral Home of Platteville is assisting the family. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com.

 

 

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Barbara Stockhausen
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In Loving Memory of Robert E. Ford, With deepest sympathies. John Adams and Barb Stockhausen A Sympathy Gift of Single Tree has been Planted In Loving Memory of Robert E. Ford courtesy of Barbara Stockhausen.
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David and Dawn Peters
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Rob, So sorry to hear of the passing of your father. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
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Harry Rhines
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Hi Beth I am so sorry to hear about Bob. I know how hard this must be for you and Bob's family having lost two brothers and both parents myself.. I remember the first time Bob and I met. There were about a half dozen of us (altar boys) having a BBQ on the yard at the Catholic Church with Father Showalter. Your dad brought Bob over and introduced him to me and the rest is history. We had a great time growing up, riding our bikes out to and through the Backbone in the summertime when we were younger and when we reached high school our summers were spent working for different farmers in the area like baling hay for Jay Gaffney, laying tile in the fields for Don Cooke, and cleaning out chicken sheds in the heat of August for the Talbots (pugh!!!) and even painting my grandmother's house. Bob was well liked and always had empathy for those around him He was my best friend then and I will always have great memories of us growing up together. I'll miss him.
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Steve and Mara Schroeder
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Bob will be missed at the club. He was one of the good golfers at PGC and dressed great, Steve and Bob always complimented each other on their clothing, but Bob won with all his shoes😂. He told us that his biological sister Avis was our neighbor and we’ve known her for years till her passing. We both enjoyed golfing with so much. We told him we were interested in his golf cart when he wanted to get rid of it and told us he would let us know. If interested you have our email. Thanks REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND BOB❤️‍🩹🙏 Due to illness not able to attend services.

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