Robert MacDonald Ford

Robert MacDonald Ford, Jr. (1911 – June 9, 2004)[1] was an 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]

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 Counties 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 Scientologist 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

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Flowers of the Forest". www.electricscotland.com: Family Tree. August–September 2004. Retrieved April 8, 2011.
  2. ↑ United Press. "Annual State Census Is Proposed in Bill" Spokane Daily Chronicle February 13, 1951; p. 1, col. 4
  3. ↑ 2005 Listing of recently deceased former members of the Washington State Legislature; Journal of the Washington State Senate February 17, 2005; p. 6
  4. ↑ Interview about L. Ron Hubbard


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