University joins nation in celebrating the life of Gerald R. Ford

Special U-M Gerald R. Ford Web site>

The country bid farewell last week to former President Gerald R. Ford, remembering the leader for his courage throughout his political career and his ties to Michigan and his alma mater.

(From top) Ford announces his pardon of Richard Nixon from the Oval Office Sept. 8, 1974. As a student-athlete, Ford was a member of the University's national championship teams in 1932 and 1933 and was voted most valuable player in 1934. The former president makes remarks at the naming ceremony for the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy Sept. 12, 2000. Ford makes remarks at the site dedication ceremony for the new home of the Ford School, the Joan and Sanford Weill Hall, Sept. 18, 2003. (Below, top to bottom) The funeral procession for former President Ford leaves Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids. President Mary Sue Coleman (center) golfer Jack Nicklaus (left) and David Frey, a vice chair of The Michigan Difference campaign, at Ford's funeral.

Funeral services in Grand Rapids ended six days of official mourning in three locations—including Palm Desert, Calif., and Washington D.C.—for the 38th president of the United States, who died Dec. 26. At age 93, Ford was the longest-living president.

The University expects to hold memorial services for Ford on dates to be determined, which likely will occur after the national period of mourning ends Jan. 25. As news of his death came over the holiday, U-M honored Ford in several ways, including its leaders attending funeral services and ceremonies.

A special Web site dedicated to Ford was posted on the University's Gateway as soon as news of his death became public. The site features quotes from the former president, a timeline of his life, photos, videos and a page for online visitors to offer condolences to the Ford family. More than 100 people have posted messages on the Web link, which can be found at www.umich.edu/ford.

U-M's football program honored the memory of Ford and Bo Schembechler, the late U-M coach who died Nov. 17, during the Rose Bowl game Jan. 1 in Pasadena, Calif. The Wolverines wore a sticker with the number 48 and "Bo" on the back of their helmets to recognize the icons. The "48" represented Ford's retired jersey number, which he proudly wore as a three-time letterman and center. Before the game, spectators observed a moment of silence.

Mourners traveled to the University's North Campus to visit the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. David Horrocks, the library's supervisory archivist, estimated that more than 1,200 people stopped by the library within a week after Ford's death to sign condolence books and to learn more about the president through exhibits and videos.

"It's been comforting to the staff to have people come here," Horrocks said, noting a large number of families—such as the Cashes and Chapmans—visited.

Lori Cash, of Gaines, Mich., took pictures of her children, Alexis and Jordan, next to the library exhibits and the president's private office. When asked what was his favorite exhibit, Jordan, 8, smiled and said, "I liked everything."

Another visitor, James Chapman of Romulus, brought his steel artwork so that the library staff could give it to the Ford family. The sculptor designed a 30-pound, 30-inch-long signature of Ford and wrapped it around a small U.S. flag. "I wanted to give something back to the Ford family because they have given us so much as a country," said Chapman, who was accompanied to the library by his wife Sandra and 3-year-old granddaughter Samantha Fyfe.

Indeed, as many national leaders, dignitaries and citizens noted, Ford always will be remembered for his courage to calm a divided nation, his pardon of former President Richard Nixon and his commitment to public service in Michigan and Washington, D.C. Thousands of mourners paid their respects lining the Grand Rapids streets on the motorcade route and standing in long lines to view Ford's casket in repose at the museum.

"The people were just wonderful in their outpouring," said Elaine Didier, director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. She added that people throughout the country visited other presidential museums and libraries to sign condolence books for the Ford family.

"This reaction is to a president, not just a Michigan president," Didier said.

His love for the University was evident in several instances during the funeral services and ceremonies.

When remembrances concluded in Washington, D.C. Jan. 2, Ford's body traveled from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., to Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, but not before the plane headed to Ann Arbor to fly over Michigan Stadium. At the airport, 151 U-M marching band members who had performed a day earlier at the Rose Bowl parade and game, played four songs—"Ruffles and Flourishes," "Hail to the Chief," "Yellow and Blue" and "The Victors"—before the casket was taken to the Ford Presidential Museum.

"This definitely was a tremendous experience—something all of us are going to remember," said drum major Iden Baghdadchi, a senior history major from Farmington.

Said Director of the Michigan Marching Band Jamie Nix, "We were honored to represent the University and, in a way, the country."

At the Grand Rapids museum ceremony, President Mary Sue Coleman and Yale University president Richard Levin laid wreaths at the casket in honor of Ford's undergraduate and law degrees, respectively, from these institutions.

"We will never forget Gerald Ford—a tireless ambassador to the University of Michigan," Coleman said. "Personally, I will cherish the times spent with him, Mrs. Ford and their family. He was a remarkable, engaging person whom I proudly considered a friend."

Several U-M officials attended the private funeral service Wednesday in Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids, including Coleman; Rebecca Blank, Joan and Sanford Weill Dean of Public Policy; and Beth Johnson, director of development and alumni relations at the Ford School.

"It was an honor to represent the Ford School," said Blank, who talked with Ford extensively in his final years as the University built a new home for the public policy school that bears his name. "The service was lovely and reflected President Ford's life."