Steve Ford
 

Hi Gents,

I'm Steve's younger brother Paul. I thought I would register on your site to post a couple of replies to your kind and very moving posts.

I followed Steve into the Army two years after him (1973) but they said I was too small to join him in the Royal Engineers - I guess they'd filled their Sapper quotas that year. Still, I joined the Royal Signals and served for a most enjoyable 27 years, often meeting up or coming across Steve on various postings and tours. I've flown with him in so many aircraft, I can't even begin to count. He was always, as so many of you have recognised, the consummate professional, always knew what he was doing, exuded confidence, never one to show-off, and every achievement of his was understated or not even mentioned. He was a rock to me and our younger brother Mike, someone you could always rely on in a crisis, and a damn good friend to boot. This is a terribly difficult time as you can imagine, but it is what we have learned from Steve that is actually enabling us to get through this.

I went to see Steve at the chapel of rest at the hospital in Exeter on Monday. It was pretty devastating and distressing, but I had to do it (Mike couldn't bear to go) just to see Steve one last time. He looked so still and quiet, so not the Steve we all know and love. And yet at the same time I hope I can give you all some small amount of comfort in telling you that he look very much at peace.

I thought you might like to know a little about how his accident happened. As many of you know he was an advanced rider and a very experience motorcyclist and not one to take risks. He had gone out for a ride to clear his head since he'd been having a tough time lately with so many things going on. The weather was fine and dry on Saturday and he was on a fairly straight country back-road, one he knew very well north of Chudleigh near Exeter. The police have managed to establish that there were no other vehicles involved. It would appear that rather than taking a slight left-hand bend after a straight section of about 300 yds he simply went straight on, tragically colliding with a house which was below the level of the road. Post Mortem results have revealed nothing out of the ordinary and there has been nothing to suggest mechnical failure on his bike. It's not a section of road you could imagine making a mistake on or doing something accidental (we visited the site this morning). We are unlikely to ever know precisely what caused him to leave the road, we can only imagine that he blacked out. We do know that he is very unlikely to have taken his own life. Forgive me if I have gone into such detail, but I think it is better for you all to know everything that has been established so far rather than be left wondering over so many of the bewildering whys and hows.
I'm more than happy to respond to any questions you may have and will check the site every day. Also, I will post details of the funeral arrangements, which will be at Exeter Crematorium next week, hopefully by close of play tomorrow.

My heartfelt thoughts to all of you who knew him, served and worked with him, crewed with him, or shared a beer and a laugh. He always spoke very highly of all his friends and colleages, of which he had so many.

With kind regards,

Paul Ford

I first know Steve in Netheravon back in the early eighties, and our paths cross throughout my flying career. Lifes true gentleman, always willing to help others. he was too good for this world. RIP mate.
Condolences to the family, all of our thoughts are now with them.

Met Steve at Bond during my IR.

Only had the briefest of talks with him in the hangar. We did share our love for the Bolkow though.

Still remember what we talked about that day. Funny is it not?

Lost my Father not too long ago. Such things are beyond comprehension. My condolences to the family and everyone who knew him.

I came back on duty yesterday morning to be told about steves accident. I am stunned I spoke to steve only a couple of weeks ago on my OPC.

He was a super instructor a good friend and a perfect gent.

our thoughts go out to all concerned.

A super bloke and will be sorely missed.

RIP

B 99

I always enjoyed my OPC's with Steve, he made them a learning opportunity rather than just a skill test. A fount of knowledge for HEMS and the Bolkow, I'd often seek his opinion on interpretation of the Ops Manual, operating procedures and day to day EMS flying. He was a total professional, a great instructor and a bloody nice bloke.

RIP Steve, it was a pleasure to know you.

It's hard to know what else to say about Steve.

He is the most kind, considerate and genuine good guy you could ever wish to meet, who I am proud to call my friend. I, like everyone else leaving messages will miss him. There will be a gap in all of our lives, where Steve should be.

Rest in peace Captain Ford xx

There is now a Book of Condolences on the Devon Air Ambulance Trust website at www.daat.org It's on the top toolbar named "Tribute to Steve"

I never knew Steve but would like to pass on my condolences to his family, that was a moving post from his brother Paul, RIP Steve.

I only had the pleasure of knowing Steve for a very short time, while he did my type rating on the 135 not so long back.

A true gent, and great instructor, who will be sadly missed.

Steve was my first Squadron QHI back in 669 and encouraged me to consider (in the fullness of time) going down the QHI route. Probably as he recognised someone who talked nearly as much as he did.
I remained in sporadic touch with him and he encouraged me to join the HEMS world with Bond when I left the Corps in 06. He was always my go-to guy for any questions, however daft or trivial they seemed and he always, ALWAYS offered his time, expertise and guidance happily and readily. Nothing was ever too much trouble.
Steve was also the key influence in my becoming a TRI/TRE on his beloved Bolkow to work for him in his training team and it was Steve who taught me and a colleague on our course.

All of this made me realise that Steve, more than any other individual, has had a massive influence on my flying career, from my fledgling days to my current happy state.

I feel we've lost someone who gave so much of himself to his work, his colleagues and his friends, be it in the flying or the biking world. He did nothing half-heartedly or thoughtlessly and, possibly due to his expert approach to everything he did, his death has been a massive shock to me and everyone else to whom I've spoken.

"Sadly missed" seem such inadequate words for such a character but if there's anything positive to take from this, it's the fact that he had more of a positive impact on more lives than most of us could hope for in double his years.

Finally (and Steve might have been proud of the length of my submission here!), knowing how much we, his friends and colleagues are going to miss him, gives me a slight hint of the devastation that his family must be feeling. You all have my deepest, most sincere condolences but also, I'm sure, you'll understand our pride that we knew such a man.

RIP

Like many of my fellow Pilots that worked with Steve over the years I add my sincere condolences at this sad loss.

A tragic loss of a true gent. Steve was always there with the right word of advice, or just good conversation. He always insisted on leaving me with his mobile number in case I needed help, which was a very welcome safety blanket and I hope that I, and countless others, didn't interrupt his family time too often with daft questions.

Thoughts are very much with his family. You can be, and I'm sure are, very proud of Steve.

Steve Ford
 

Gentlemen,
Thank you all for the wonderful posts regarding Steve. I know Steve's family are touched by the high regard people have for him.

delta whisky has kindly posted the funeral details. But if I could just add there will be a motorcycle procession behind the courtage. If there are any bikers amongst you who would like to ride one last time with Steve, please meet at Exeter services (M5 junc 30) at 1315.

One last thing. If you know of anybody who you think should, or needs to know these arrangements, please pass them on. We want to give a great guy a grand send off.

Many thanks
BB

Devon Air Ambulance Trust have a book of condolences on their website for Steve. If any of you would like to leave a message on that too.....

Devon Air Ambulance - Tribute To Steve

Steve and I flew together, along with Dave 'Flying Brain' Critchlow on the 1994 Helimeet. We had a lucky few days, and badically won it. My two abiding memories of the event are first, the two of us dancing on the tables to the AAC quick march after dinner in the Winchester Guildhall; but better yet, the moment he fell out of the Gazelle...

He was sitting on the rear cabin floor, feet on the skids, dispatch harness on, as we awaited the start of the slaolm event. Steve had mis-read the rules, and suddenly realised that the clock was running against us. Screaming at me to get airborne, I pulled pitch with rather more enthusiasm than finesse, and glancing over my left shoulder realised that Steve was gone. He had fallen out against a little too much slack in the harness, and was now cuddling the left skid with arms and legs - precluding me from landing.

'Basher' and a well-known cornishman were the judges, and were helpless on the floor with laughter. A treasured moment. I shall try to join the bikers cortege if humanly possible.

To All

Please be advised that Steve’s funeral will be held on Thursday 30 October at 2p.m. at the Exeter & Devon Crematorium, thereafter at the Gypsy Hill Hotel - everyone is welcome.

No flowers but, if you wish, donations to the Devon Air Ambulance or Exeter Hospice Care.

At Steve’s request, the dress code is casual and no black (he wanted his funeral to be a bright occasion).

RIP Steve

From Yell.com postcode for the Exeter and Devon Crematorium : EX2 6EU

Unfortunately, I shall be working, but I will be there in mind if not in body. :(

Steve Ford
 

I first met Steve in the early 90s when we flew together in the British Helicopter Championships. Not only was he was thoroughly professional but very easy to get along with. I learned a lot from him.
Sincere condolences to his family.

Steve will be sorely missed. A true professional and a great guy. He was a great help to us all making the transition from military to civilian flying and was always there to help and guide. Proud to have been a friend.

Gutted.

I've just heard the sad news.

I first met Steve in the early 80's at Netheravon, we played rugby and climbed rocks together, but I never had the privilege of sharing the cockpit with him.

A wonderful guy, this is a sad loss to human-kind.

Rest in Peace Steve.

Crazy.

Not seen Steve since Easter 2004, when he kindly showed my grandchildren around the Bolkow at Exeter Airport.

A true gent.

RIP Steve.

bondu