10-4 Magazine - For Today's Trucker

Robert Ford & Family Memorial Fund
A WAY YOU CAN HELP

Back in our June 2005 edition, we brought you terrible news of a plane crash that took the lives of longtime trucking icon Robert Ford, his wife Patty, their son Ricky and their grandson Matthew. At the time, the bodies had not been found due to heavy snow and the risk of avalanche. Since then, all of the bodies have been located and recovered, the last (Ricky) being found on Father’s Day, June 19th, five weeks after the accident. A funeral service was held in Chino Hills, CA on June 25th, and some 1,200 people came to show their respects. The four hearses were followed by six of the Ford’s trucks as well as Ricky’s service truck, which he was so proud of. There was also a fly-by of two sets of four airplanes. One of the planes in the second set broke away, representing “the lost plane” of Robert and his family. The caskets for each of the lost family members were custom built - Robert’s was painted green with yellow stripes (just like his trucks), Patty’s was adorned with cherub angels, Ricky’s was chrome while young Matthew’s was painted black with the Hot Wheels logo on the top. Many have asked us and the family how they can help. To recognize the efforts of the Ouray Mountain Rescue Team in Ouray, Colorado that spent so much time searching for and recovering the bodies, the family has asked for donations to be made directly to the team to help them build a rescue center they desperately need. The nonprofit organization has a team of some 30 volunteers and they need a place to meet and store their equipment. If you would like to make a donation in memory of the family, please send checks to the Ouray Mountain Rescue Team, P.O. Box 220, Ouray, CO 81427. On the memo line of the check, write “Robert R. Ford & Family Memorial Fund”. The organization will keep a running tab of how much is donated in the family’s name and for every $100 accumulated, a brick will be sandblasted in honor of the family and placed on the building. We hope to overwhelm this building with “Robert R. Ford & Family” memorial bricks. For more information on the rescue team, visit their website at www.ouraymountainrescue.com or call (800) 748-9421. Another way you can help is to buy a memorial T-shirt made in the family’s honor. The T-shirts have a specially-designed graphic on the back created in memory of the fallen family members. The shirts are available in adult and kid’s sizes and are $20 each. Hooded sweatshirts are also available (adults only) for $40. All of the proceeds will go directly to the rescue team as well. To buy a shirt, call (909) 590-1263 or stop by the Ford Trucking office at 14042 Euclid Ave. in Chino, CA. Let’s all come together here and make something great happen from such a horrible tragedy. It’s the least we can do in memory of such a great trucking family.