Warren W Ward's Obituary
Warren W. Ward peacefully completed his life adventures at the age of 94 on December 21, 2022, with his sons Terry and Jeff, and daughter in law Lisa at his side. Warren was always up for an adventure, whether it was regional and global travel, backpacking and river trips, jumping out of airplanes, hot air ballooning, or playing music, and enjoyed his son playing guitar and singing to him just before he passed. He was a true lover of life, always smiling and “up for anything.”
Born October 17, 1928 in State College, Pennsylvania to Warren S. and Marie L. (Rosengarth) Ward, Warren was raised in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, with his sister Helen, a small town in a time that inspired hard work and strong values. He was a proud graduate of Penn State University, where he played intramural lacrosse and basketball, and earned a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1952. He remained a dedicated fan of Penn State sports throughout his life. We are sure he was cheering the 2023 New Year’s Day Rose Bowl victory of his beloved team.
Warren served his country in the 82nd Airborne and as an Army pilot (2nd lieutenant) serving in Korea. His duties required him to travel throughout Asia by plane, and he loved to tell stories of the adventures he had there. He was a member of the “Brotherhood of 38 Parallel Crossers”: Exploits included flying an L-19 at less than 1000 feet across the 38th Parallel, under a cable stretched across a canyon, from South to North Korea to land on an abandoned airstrip, pick up a gentleman who ran out from the shrubbery, and get out of there before anyone noticed.
Warren married Rhoda Gibbs in 1952, settled in East Norwich and later, Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York, where their children Terry, Karen and Jeff were born. Sadly, Karen passed away as a toddler. The family enjoyed life on the water with sail boating, water skiing, and fishing; winter ski trips, and annual winter visits to “Moriah” with great friends for skiing and fondue dinners. He played tennis, volleyball, and was a runner for over 20 years, including competing in marathons.
Family travel included Germany, Austria, and Bermuda, and he and Rhoda also visited Spain, Mallorca, and Belgium. The memorable three-month “summer trip” across the U.S. launched the day after the kids got out of school for the summer, and ended the day before the next school year began. Although Warren and Rhoda later divorced, they remained friends throughout their lives, devoted to their children and grandchildren, and staying up to date with each other’s news. Warren was a guest at the wedding for Rhoda’s second marriage, making a toast to the couple from “the only person here who has been present for both of Rhoda’s weddings.”
Warren worked as an engineer on classified defense projects for American Bosch Arma for nearly 20 years, including business travel that took him to the U.K, France and Germany. After an early retirement, he worked as regional educational sales manager for Rand McNally.
A self-taught musician who never read music, Warren learned by ear to play piano, guitar, banjo, upright bass, mandolin and ukulele. Though jazz was his first, and life-long, love, in retirement he fell in love with bluegrass music, traveling all over the country to attend bluegrass festivals. There he became friends with some of the country’s finest bluegrass pickers and performers, and in 1994, he moved from New York to the front range of Colorado, to be closer to them and their music. He loved his life in the West. The don’t-miss annual birthday party at Warren’s home in Fort Collins brought together great friends and musicians who came with their dish to share, and their instruments. After dinner, the jamming would begin, and go late into the night. The family wishes to thank all the friends and neighbors in Fort Collins who became like family to Warren. The gang included Barb, Ron and Julie, Amy, Willie and Susan, Tim, Glen, Brent, the Rabolds, the Runtas, and so many more. He loved you all.
In 2017, Warren moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, to be cared for by family. The family is grateful to his caregivers at the VA Medical Center, and to the staff at Highland Cove Assisted Living, who cared for him with friendship, humor and loving kindness, and to everyone at Applegate Hospice and Home Care, who cared for him with gentle dignity. Warren needed no coaxing to sit at one of Highland Cove’s pianos, and play a few tunes for the residents and staff.
Warren was immensely proud of his family, and reveled in his children’s and grandchildren’s hard work and accomplishments. He would travel any distance for a grandchild’s birthday party or sporting event. Warren is survived by his son Warren Terence (Terry) Ward (partner Brenda) of New York and Florida; son Jeffrey (Jeff) and daughter in law Lisa Ward of Park City, Utah; granddaughter Jen Ward McLean (Tim) and great-grandson Max; grandson Paul (Catie) Ward and great-grandsons Owen, Hank, and Will; granddaughter Dr. Kelsey Ward (Baxter Datt); grandson Hayden Ward; grandson Keenan Ward (Alyssa) and great-grandson Cameron; and former wife Rhoda Jenkins (the late Bill Jenkins). Warren is preceded in death by his parents Warren S. and Marie Ward, sister Helen Ward, and daughter Karen Ward.
The family will hold private memorial services. In Warren’s honor and memory, make every day an adventure, hold your loved ones close, travel, explore, never stop having fun, and let music permeate every part and stage of your life.
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