Born in Chicago to the late Josephine C. and James E. Ward, who was a V.P. of Walgreen Drug Stores, Bob himself went on to have a very successful career in broadcasting, becoming V.P. of a Channel 26 Television in Chicago, a stockbroker, and founder of Dial-A-Prayer. Mr. Ward was Executive V.P. for the Society for the Shrine of our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. An active member of his church, he and his wife were Eucharistic Ministers both in Palm Beach and here at St. John&squo;s Catholic Church to Tryon Estates.

Surviving are daughters Sheila &dquo;Caboose&dquo; Ward of Liberty Lake, Wash., Maureen Ward of Coeur d&squo;Alene, Idaho, Sharon Hilty (Phil) of Puyallup, Wash., Colleen Ward of Fort Worth, Texas, and Chrystal Burns (Kevin) of Eugene, Or., and sons Patrick Ward, Tim Ward, Terrence (Donna) of Coeur d&squo;Alene, Idaho, Daniel Ward of Shoreline, Wash., Michael (Carol) Ward of Rathdrum, Idaho, Peter (Patricia) Ward of Athol, Idaho. Also surviving is the mother of the children, Marianne Ward. One surviving brother is Wm. J. Ward (Nancy) resides in San Mateo, Calif. Pre-deceased by brother, James Ward (Leona),&bsp; Manteca, Calif. Brother-in-law Richard Neidlinger (Marilyn), Boulder City, Nev. Sisters, Maureen (Claude) Dorsey, Miami, Fla., Mary Mallory, Canton, Ohio, Carol Imbriani, Calif., cousin William (Rita) Winger, Glenview, Ill. He is also pre-deceased by sister Patsy Allen, Casselberry, Fla.

Numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and wonderful friends everywhere.

Bob, as his friends knew him, told the greatest stories about his life in Chicago, Coeur d&squo;Alene, and in Florida, but most of all he loved his move here to North Carolina. He never tired of being a faithful husband and friend and helpmate to all who needed him. Doing for others is exemplified in the organizations he was devoted to. He found his happiest time here in his last years of retirement in beautiful North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, 120 Forest Glen Drive, Columbus, N.C. 28722, or to St. John&squo;s Catholic Church, 180 Laurel Ave. Tryon, N.C. 28782.

Private services will be held in Idaho.

An online guest register is available for signing at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

McFarland Funeral Chapel of Tryon is in charge of arrangements.