EDUCATOR, PARTY LEADER REMEMBERED

Ralph Ford spent much of his professional career encouraging young people to work, on math problems or career solutions.

A long-time educator and Republican party leader, Ford set an example. He was not afraid to work himself for the causes he believed in.

Ford died Monday afternoon at his farm near Oak Ridge.

He had worked from 1954-86 at Cape Girardeau public schools. He taught math and was a counselor at the vocational school.

Ford also taught two years at Bernie High School and two years at Sikeston High School.

Ralph served as president of the Missouri State Teachers Association during the 1978-79 school year. His wife, Doris, will take office as MSTA president in November.

The Fords are the second couple in the MSTA's 137-year history to each serve as state president of the organization.

Ford also served as a former chairman of Cape County Republican Central Committee and was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1992.

Gary Gilbert, former director of the Cape Girardeau Area Vocational-Technical School, said, "His main duties were recruiting students and then placing them in the right job. Ralph really had the kids at heart. Whatever he did, he looked out for them."

He also kept an eye out for teachers, Gilbert said.

"He was always working to help the teacher by improving insurance and pay and working conditions," Gilbert said. "He tried to resolve issues and make everything better."

State Rep. Mary Kasten said, "I can genuinely say he has been interested in education all his life and in kids and in trying to think what is best for them. He was a very dedicated teacher."

Ford was also a lifelong Republican, she said.

"He was willing to help and do whatever he could for the good of both causes," Kasten said. "No one could ever doubt his sincerity and his intense interest in both those areas."

She added, "He was frustrated a lot by other people's unwillingness to get in there and work."

Kasten knew Ford when both attended Southeast Missouri State University.

"He was a person who had lot of convictions. You always did know where he stood on things. He was very plain spoken.

"When he felt strongly, he was willing to put himself on the block to do something about it," Kasten said.

For example, Kasten said, "He always touted the need to support good teachers and their profession."

Specifically, she said, he worked for improved salaries.

"For both he and Doris this has been one of their important priorities," Kasten said. "Realizing that the education profession needs to keep good people and to do that somewhat depends on compensation."

She added that Ford was an "excellent father, a very proud grandfather and a fine family man."

Cape Girardeau city councilman and former educator Melvin Gateley began his teaching career with Ford at Sikeston. "We've been very dear friends ever since," Gateley said.

"Ralph was just a person with a love for people," Gateley said. "And he had the unique quality of just doing it.

"He was taught the importance of work and the dignity of work. When you took on a responsibility, you finished it," Gateley said. "He enjoyed what he did. He loved people and loved to teach."

Ford worked his way through the MSTA ranks, beginning his statewide service to that organization in 1969.

"He was very influential," said Gateley, who wrote a campaign speech for Ford's race for MSTA third vice presidency.

"He influenced me a great deal, especially his love for the MSTA," Gateley said. "I kind of walked in Ralph's footsteps."

Gateley served as MSTA president during the 1984-85 school year.

Gateley said Ford's love for education stemmed from his youth. Ford's father, Lloyd Ford, was superintendent at Vanduser schools.

"Ralph kind of grew up in the MSTA family," said Don Meyer, who serves on the MSTA professional staff. "He was a classroom teacher and understood the importance of a professional organization.

"He was encouraged from his dad to get involved. If he was going to be in education, get involved. That was Ralph's passion to get involved," Meyer said.

"He liked people," Meyer added. "He liked to visit and interact. He was interested in his students and in improving the education profession."

Meyer said Ford worked to increase teachers' salaries, but he was also concerned about classroom instruction and curriculum.

"He knew the more teachers get involved, the better we do with our profession. He traveled thousands of miles throughout Missouri to promote the profession."

"I know it would have been fantastic for Ralph to see Doris take over the presidency of MSTA," Meyer said.

"Ralph has been farming recently. It seems obvious he was very intent on being a good farmer."

James Englehart, director of secondary education, worked with Ford in the district for 15 years.

"When I think of the Cape Area Vocational School I think of Gary Gilbert and Ralph Ford," said Englehart. "He obviously did a great job of bringing it along.

"I felt Ralph was a very student-oriented individual. He was very empathetic and concerned. He was a strong proponent of vocational education and never missed a chance to speak in favor of vocational education.

"He was just a fine educator; someone you would be glad to have counseling your children," Englehart said.