I am deeply moved by the loss of an amazing mentor and influential leader that I was given the great honor to work with over 21 years. What must be added to his list of major accomplishments was his conviction and strong support of physician education through the creation and hands-on support of the Waukesha Family Practice Residency Program. Despite many challenges with state medical schools and the need for his sustained effort, it was Ford who nurtured a small program created with the support of the program’s first director, John Raschbacher, MD. Despite the difficulty of attracting high quality medical students, in 1977, the program began recruiting impressive individuals willing to take a chance on an upstart program. These grads impacted smaller communities mostly in Wisconsin but also nationally. They also helped the program evolve into a nationally recognized training site. Expanding to an 18 resident 3-year program in 1995, at one point, it had over 2/3 of the trainees that graduated in the top 10 percent of their med school. Many of these program grads stayed on as medical staff of ProHealth Care, becoming leaders in Waukesha County. And this was the vision Ford brought to our community.. His vision and sustained support transformed a small, struggling program, to become a program where the best medical students nationally competed to train. Many have entered underserved communities, offering full spectrum primary care services.
Ford’s vision and conviction directly supported the growth of his own community’s health system bringing outstanding primary care providers from around the country but also impacting significantly on the shortage of primary care Family Physicians in many communities in dire need of high quality practitioners and leaders. What an amazing legacy!
I offer my sincerest sympathy to all those close to Ford. He has touched so many lives. His many achievements and collegial support should never be forgotten.
~ Richard Lewan, MD,
Kalaheo, HI
I am deeply moved by the loss of an amazing mentor and influential leader that I was given the great honor to work with over 21 years. What must be added to his list of major accomplishments was his conviction and strong support of physician education through the creation and hands-on support of the Waukesha Family Practice Residency Program. Despite many challenges with state medical schools and the need for his sustained effort, it was Ford who nurtured a small program created with the support of the program’s first director, John Raschbacher, MD. Despite the difficulty of attracting high quality medical students, in 1977, the program began recruiting impressive individuals willing to take a chance on an upstart program. These grads impacted smaller communities mostly in Wisconsin but also nationally. They also helped the program evolve into a nationally recognized training site. Expanding to an 18 resident 3-year program in 1995, at one point, it had over 2/3 of the trainees that graduated in the top 10 percent of their med school. Many of these program grads stayed on as medical staff of ProHealth Care, becoming leaders in Waukesha County. And this was the vision Ford brought to our community.. His vision and sustained support transformed a small, struggling program, to become a program where the best medical students nationally competed to train. Many have entered underserved communities, offering full spectrum primary care services.
Ford’s vision and conviction directly supported the growth of his own community’s health system bringing outstanding primary care providers from around the country but also impacting significantly on the shortage of primary care Family Physicians in many communities in dire need of high quality practitioners and leaders. What an amazing legacy!
I offer my sincerest sympathy to all those close to Ford. He has touched so many lives. His many achievements and collegial support should never be forgotten.
~ Richard Lewan, MD,
Kalaheo, HI
My deepest sympathies to the Family, we shall greatly miss you my friend,you always inspired me, and have left a void that cannot be filled !!
~ sanjay singh,
waukesha, WI
I agree Ford was great to work with and through him to meet you. Thoughts and prayers are with you
~ Jane Neumann,
Hartland, WI
My sincerest condolences to you on the loss of a remarkable man. I was honored to know Ford through working at Empathia/Prohealth. He will always be remembered as an incredible leader and kind, kind soul.
~ catherine wilkins,
milwaukee, WI
Dear Bobbe,
with great sadness we have learned today that Ford passed away monday nov 16th on Covid-19 complications. Our thoughts are with you and with your beloved ones. We are soo greatful to have met you when living in Oconomowoc and being your neighbors. You both have been so kind to us. We have great laughs, lots of fun, nice meals, deep conversations, boating on La Belle. We have the best memories about these years 1996-1999. Great times spent together in Florida, but also in Europe when you visited our country, together with Jerry and Carol. We have been really fortunate to be part of your lives and weill remember Ford as a great storyteller, making jokes, captain, friend, husband for Bobbe and generous man to all of his family, friends and staff. May Ford rest in peace. Lots of love from Simone and Peter Verbeek and their daughter Esmee from The Netherlands
~ Simone and Peter Verbeek,
Netherlands
Dear Bobbe,
I am so sorry for your loss. Ford was a kind, generous man.
My best to you in the coming days and months.
Liz (Babe) Pronold
~ Liz Pronold,
Waukesha, WI
I worked with Mr. Titus when I was the Assistant to Anselmo Villarreal at La Casa. He was so generous, kind and down to earth. Mr. Titus generously sponsored me for a Leadership Program which was such an honor for me. I am so sad to hear of his loss. Although I did not know him well, he left a strong and unforgettable impression on me. I am so sorry for the loss and sadness that his family is going through.
~ Kelly Colgan,
La Crosse, WI
Ford was my leader and dear, dear friend. I am grateful to have been a part of his work and vision at ProHealth Care — work which positively impacted the lives of patients, employees and the community. One of Ford’s many gifts was his ability to make each person feel ownership in the success of the whole. He and Bobbe have always been welcoming, generous, strong, gracious, loving and so much fun. Ford’s legacy and the stories of him, the ultimate story teller, will long be remembered.
~ Kathy Allen,
Oconomowoc, WI
It was an honor to work for Ford at Prohealth. I am so sorry for your loss.
~ Clare O'Sheel,
Tryon, NC
