Catching up with Salisbury graduate Rob Ford

Catching up with Salisbury graduate Rob Ford


What is your full name?

Robert Anthony Ford, Jr


When did you graduate from Salisbury?

1981


Tell us about your life since high school.

I graduated from LaSalle University in 1985 with a Computer Science Degree. I roomed with Robert Bauer (also from Salisbury H.S) for all four years. I worked in computer sales for a few years before moving to California in the fall of 1987. I worked in sales for a few packaging companies in both Southern and Northern California. In San Francisco, I worked as the VP of Sales for Unisource Packaging until March of 2000. At that time, I left to become a Partner/President of a 20 employee insurance company, Ames Grenz Insurance, in Sacramento, CA. I am still with Ames Grenz Insurance and just celebrated my 20th year.


I have been married for nearly 29 years to my beautiful wife Dana. Dana is a high school tennis coach as well as being a great stay at home mom. We have three daughters. Sydney, 24 graduated University of Delaware last spring and is working in San Francisco for Levi Strauss in their corporate office. Our middle daughter, Meredith, just finished her Junior year at Sonoma State. Our youngest, Molly, just finished her junior year at high school in Sacramento.


I played basketball up until this past year because of some lingering knee problems. I also play golf and I like to bike. Sacramento has great year round weather to do many outdoor activities. I also have chaired some local charities such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento and the Sheriff’s Community Impact Program. I also have coached many years of girls sports including soccer and basketball.


I did get a chance to vacation shortly this past March with close friends Dave Deeb and Bud Peiffer and his wife Geri in Florida to watch some college baseball. Bud’s son plays for Widener University.


How has the pandemic impacted you and what have you learned from it?

Our business is significantly down this year because of COVID. Many of our clients had to lay off or furlough their employees. This directly affects our income. My company has been able to keep all of our employees. One employee left because of some medical issues and we did not replace her, but all others are with us. We are hoping to continue to push forward and have the best year we can with hopefully some business growth in the second half of the year. Many companies in Northern California are suffering because of the closures and we hope they will survive.


What are your summer plans?

The only thing we are planning on doing is a trip back east with our youngest daughter to see some colleges. She wants to look at schools in Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC. We are also hoping to see my mom and sister in Allentown and my sister in Delaware. I also hope to catch up with some high school and college friends while I am on the east coast.

We will also probably spend some time in Lake Tahoe.


What was your favorite high school memory?

I really enjoyed playing basketball my junior and senior year. I was only at Salisbury for 2 years, but I really value the friendships I made there. I did not have a track team at Allentown Central Catholic, so I only had a short one season on track at Salisbury. It was a funny story. Our two  high jumpers were injured and I was recruited for the last few meets of the season. My good friend, Denise McAloose (and Senior Prom date and Prom Queen) taught me how to high jump. We spent a few afternoons learning the technique. She was a great teacher. The following week, I took 3rd in a regional event and 1st in the only track meet I could participate in. I qualified for districts and took second place. Jim McDonnell and Bob Meely made me run the 400 and the 1600 relay so I could letter (I took 3rd in individual and 1st in the relay because of their speed). That was my only track season, short but fun!


What is your favorite movie or TV show and why? 

My favorite movie is Unforgiven with Clint Eastwood. I am not exactly sure why but there is something about an aging Clint, a “bad guy” in this movie. Supposedly a murder. He puts his life on the line to stand up for a town and especially some of their women. It is about injustice and his courage. I can watch it over and over again.


How is your family doing?

My family is great. We have a blessed life in Sacramento with family and friends.

My sisters and brothers are scattered all over the U.S. Christine is still in Allentown, near my mom. Bill and Colleen are in Texas (Austin area). Charmaine is in Delaware near the beach. Jeff is in Roanoke, Virginia. Leslie is in the Seattle area. Unfortunately my dad passed away a few years back. It is hard to get everyone together, but there have been a few occasions in the past years. It is great to see them and all of their children!


If you could meet anyone (alive or dead), who would you choose and why?

I would love to meet Steven King! I have read everything that he writes. I wonder what goes on in his head to come up with the things he writes.


I did get to meet my basketball hero, Julius Erving, at the Basketball Hall of Fame with my dad. He was awesome. We spoke for about 15 minutes at an induction ceremony. He could not have been more accommodating and gave me plenty of time. 


Who is your role model and why?

My dad, Bob Ford. He worked his whole career for Black and Decker. He was very successful in business and in life. He had many friends and family and loved life! He lost his first wife when I was very young. She died suddenly and he was left with four young children. He and my grandmother raised us until he remarried my mom, Mary Elaine. He took on the responsibility of raising and taking care of seven children. Both he and my mom never complained they just made a great life for us. One of my regrets is that he and I did not have enough time together. I would have loved to play some more golf with him before he was unable. He was a wonderful man!


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