With his camera, he made memories through pictures of people and places. With his character, he made you laugh at yourself and at life itself.

Times News photographer Bob Ford of Jim Thorpe died Saturday of complications from COVID-19. He was 56.

Tributes around the circulation area have been pouring in on social media sites from colleagues and friends who remember his incredible talent and his engaging personality.

His ‘wow’ factor

Ford’s nearly 20-year career at the Times News has left lasting impressions. Sports editor Emmett McCall said, “With some photographers, they take a great picture that makes you say ‘Wow’ maybe once or twice a year. With Bob, you said ‘Wow’ every day he sent in his photos from an event he was covering.”

Ford was “a lot of fun to be around,” McCall said. He took the edge off deadline pressure with his jokes.

McCall added that Ford was never serious at a serious event.

“I kidded with him and told him he was not a nice guy, but then he looked at me and said with a grin, ‘But everybody thinks I am.’?”

This “not a nice guy” once paid for a Christmas party at Molly Maguires Pub & Steakhouse in Jim Thorpe for members of the sports staff while he was working part time for the Times News.

A fair-minded fellow

Members of the sports department predict the winners of high school football games each week in the Grid Picks Cup race. Going into the final week this fall, Ford was one game behind Rod Heckman in the race for first place.

“Bob was informed that his picks for the final week exactly matched my picks, so unless he made some changes, he had no chance to win,” Heckman said. “He told me it wouldn’t be right to change his picks.” Heckman won the Cup by that one game.

On and off the court

Panther Valley Athletic Director Kristin Black described Ford as an “amazing person.”

“Bob was not just someone who came to Panther Valley to take pictures; he was my friend. He loved his job and he loved taking pictures of our kids at PV.”

Black recalled a time when she and Ford were at the state wrestling tournament in Hershey.

“I was sitting in the stands with my trainer and I knew what Bob would be up to because he’s done it before, so when he pointed his camera at us, we did a 1, 2, 3 pose for a Bob Ford moment. Then to get him back, I took pictures of Bob at work with his camera. Panther Valley loved him. He always made us laugh.”

Jim Thorpe football coach and high school Vice Principal Mark Rosenberger knew Ford from years of his shooting photos at many JT events.

“Bob was an outstanding person and will truly be missed. He had the ability to capture pictures on the athletic fields that told stories … Bob was a staple in the game.”

Striving for perfection

Retired sports editor Ed Hedes said, “Bob Ford’s pictures made the paper. They were that good. Bob loved what he did. Every shot with his camera he took he wanted it to be his best.”

As a result, Ford was a perennial award winner in the statewide press contests, sometimes sweeping categories for his player of the year graphics.

Bob Parfitt, who was editor of the Times News for 46 years, hired Ford for a full-time position in 2002.

“I remember Bob as a jovial person. He always brought humor into the office. He was an outstanding photographer, and of course, I’m glad I hired him.”

Parfitt’s wife, Marigrace, who was the TN social editor for 38 years, recalled that when photography went digital it wasn’t good news for Ford at first.

“Bob had to close his store. He was out of a job. We were fortunate for that because we got to hire him.”

Bob Miller, Systems Administrator at the Times News, added his story to the many who are feeling the loss.

“When Bob and I first met, I didn’t realize we were about to develop a close friendship which would span the course of almost two decades. He was alongside through the good times; as the best man in my wedding, godfather to my firstborn and fishing expeditions on the St. Lawrence River. Those who have been fortunate enough to consider Bob a friend also know, there’s no one better to have with you during the difficult times. One of his countless gifts was knowing how to make people laugh and lift their spirits, even in life’s most challenging moments. He was dedicated to his family and friends, and blessed with a talent that our community will truly miss.”

Jimmy May, a photographer for Press Enterprises in Bloomsburg, developed a longtime friendship with Ford by meeting with him twice a year at the state wrestling and track and field events in Hershey. But they were constantly in contact, cheering on each other’s work.

On one trip to an awards banquet, Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Stephanie Strasburg surprised him and Ford.

“She called us legends in the field,” said May, and asked our advice on how she could improve her craft.”

May mentioned he and Bob had a contest with each other every time they met again at Hershey.

“Bob and I would go back and forth about whose shoes were better looking when we met in Hershey,” May said. “He always wore running shoes and I wore hiking boots. This year I bought high vision size 13 yellow boat shoes to wear there. When I heard how sick Bob was, I wore them to work on Friday in honor of him.”

In the community

The Jim Thorpers bicycle team pedals from Philadelphia to Atlantic City each year to commemorate the families of fallen first responders. Pennsylvania state trooper and team captain Mike Dugan met Bob Ford at Molly’s 25 years ago. He appreciated Bob’s charity and his friendship.

“Bob donated his money, his time and his talent to our cause,” said Dugan. “He followed our routes and took pictures along the way and he never asked for anything in return. Bob was a funny dude, too. He pushed my buttons with his one-line zingers, but he always kept me laughing.”

Bob and Eric Waksmunski became friends during the reporting of a Times News story 10 years ago. One picture Bob took will always have a special place in Eric’s heart.

“Bob stayed with us while our son, Wyatt, who has Down syndrome, was having serious surgery. He took a picture of me on the phone to the operating room talking to surgeons and getting updates. That photo of me I will cherish. It tells the emotion of the story back to the moment. Bob even drove to New Jersey to our twins’ christening. He didn’t have to do that.”

Respected in field

Scott and Fred Masenheimer, management of the Times News, said, “We mourn Bob’s passing and send our deepest sympathy to his wife, Sharon, and his family.”

They praised his work.

“Bob was an extraordinary talent with a camera. He won many awards over the years for his outstanding work. We and especially our readers will miss his contributions to the Times News. His sports action photography was among the best we ever published, and his landscapes and scenes from around our coverage area were always a welcome addition to the paper. This is a deep loss for our Times News family of co-workers. We will miss Bob.”

Current editor Marta Gouger said, “When I met Bob Ford, he tried to tell me he was only a sports photographer because he so enjoyed taking sports photos and highlighting our local athletes. He was so much more than that. Bob was the ultimate news guy, always looking for a story, always looking for a way to bring quality to our news product and always interacting with the community.

“What will I miss most about Bob? It’s difficult to pick just one thing. I think I will miss his excitement when he would call me over to show me his great shots. When he would ask if I had a minute to come over and look at his computer screen, I knew I was in for a treat.

“Professionally, losing Bob feels someone cut off my right arm; personally, I feel like someone ripped out my heart. My world was better for having Bob in it.”

Perhaps TN sports writer Patrick Matsinko said it best in describing the man and his mastery.

“Bob Ford was a special guy who had an impact on everyone who knew him. To say he was one of a kind doesn’t do him justice,” he said. “They no longer manufacture the cloth he was cut from.”

Ford is survived by his wife, Sharon; daughter Victoria and her wife, Steph Lax; son Tom and his wife, Deanna; and three grandchildren.