Bob Ward of Huntsville, a retired journalist and author, died peacefully at home on March 20, at the ripe old age of 83, after a long battle with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
A native of Birmingham, he graduated from Shades Valley High School. He attended Auburn University and then the University of Alabama, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1956.
Bob joined the news and editorial staff of The Huntsville Times in 1957. He held posts there ranging from reporter to managing editor to editor in chief during his forty-three years with the newspaper before retiring in 2000.
He was the author of four space-related books, the last being “Dr. Space,” a 2005 biography of Wernher von Braun, and co-author of another.
Bob enjoyed extensive travel in the U.S. and abroad. He was one of three American newspaper editors invited to tour mainland China in 1980 in the first formal U.S./China exchange of journalists in the modern era.
He chaired the statewide “Space Celebration ’89,” marking the 20th anniversary of the first Apollo manned lunar landing and Alabama’s prominent role in space exploration.
The recipient of numerous statewide news and feature-writing awards, he also received the University of Alabama College of Communication’s 1996 Outstanding Journalism Alumnus Award.
Active in professional and community affairs, he was past president or board chairman of the Alabama Associated Press Association, the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County, the Leadership 2000 program, Huntsville Press Club and Acme Club. Bob was also a past officer or board member of the Land Trust of North Alabama, Cummings Research Park Board, and Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Association, among other organizations.
His beloved wife of 60 years, Barbara Ann Byrne Ward, was the light of his life. Besides her, his survivors include a daughter, Nancy Ward Glasgow (Steve), two sons, Michael Dennis Ward (Cathy) and Robert Hanly Ward; grandchildren Hanly, Molly and Evan Ward, all of Huntsville; a brother, John P. “Johnny” Ward of Birmingham; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robinson J. and Laura Margaret Leland Ward of Birmingham and his sister, Vivian “Bobbie” Shannon of Childersburg.
Visitation will be Monday, March 26 from 1-3 PM at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity, followed by a memorial service there at 3:00 PM.
The family suggests memorial gifts may be made to the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Association, P.O. Box 2400, Huntsville 35804, or the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library. P.O Box 443, Huntsville 35804, or to their favorite charity.
