In 1994, the Federal Direct Student Loan Program was named in his honor.

[1][2] Ford was born in Detroit and attended Henry Ford Trade School, Melvindale High School, Nebraska State Teachers College, and Wayne State University.

His father, a Scottish immigrant, was an autoworker who was killed on the job, an incident that influenced Ford's political views.

[1] He interrupted his studies to serve in the United States Navy during World War II, 1944–1946.

Ford died in 2004 at his home in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan of complications from a stroke and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.