Scott LeRoy Ward

Scott Ward, age 60, passed away surrounded by family members on Saturday, December 28, 2024, from complications arising from prostate cancer. Born October 8, 1964, in Berea, OH, Scott was the son of LeRoy Ernest and Jacqueline Florence (Bergey) Ward. On May 4, 2002, he married the love of his life, Kathleen Folger. Together they welcomed a son, Ethan, born in 2003. Scott held his role as a father above all else, taking immense pride in his son's growth and achievements. Ethan was the light of Scott's life, and being a father was his most cherished and important role.

Scott enjoyed a happy childhood growing up in Troy, Michigan, spending countless hours with a wide group of friends, either at school or exploring the mysteries of the partially developed light industrial properties “behind-the-fence” of the neighborhood park. He was part of a large extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and spent several summers on his Grandmother Ward’s family farm in New York, exploring the attic with his father, and traipsing through the old farm buildings with his brother and cousin. Later in life, Scott would become the family historian for the Michigan branches of the Ward and Bergey families. He graduated from Royal Oak’s Clarence M. Kimball High School in 1982, and Eastern Michigan University in 1988 with a BA in Economics and an MBA in 1999.

Scott dedicated over 30 years of exemplary service to the University of Michigan, where he made significant contributions in finance, facilities, and human resources. Throughout his distinguished career, he held pivotal roles in Central Development, the University Library, the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, and Rackham Graduate School. His commitment and dedication to the university community left a lasting impact. After retiring from the University, Scott worked at The Henry Ford, where he was able to combine his love of spreadsheets with his love of history.

Growing up in a family of creatives, Scott was exposed to architects, artists, inventors, lapidarists, musicians, and singers. He always had an interest in photography, particularly capturing the beauty of nature through the camera lens. He made time for photography, mostly as a hobby, and then, upon his retirement, as a professional pursuit, He started a small business, Beartown Road Designs – named for the road on which his grandmother’s farm was located - to market his photography products, including jigsaw puzzles, notecards, and prints. His photos were exhibited and lauded in numerous venues, including the Power Center, the Ann Arbor District Library, the Rogel Cancer Center’s Voices Art Gallery, the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, Crain’s Detroit, and multiple online sites. Scott felt he finally found his voice artistically and socially with his photography,

In 2019, Scott was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. An unexpected outcome of the cancer was a new outlet for Scott’s creative expression - the art of storytelling. Scott told his story in many ways - offering to speak with other cancer patients, being interviewed for the Rogel Center’s Thrive newsletter, overcoming his fear of public speaking to give presentations to various groups, and even designing a tattoo for his chest to graphically illustrate his journey.

Scott's life was filled with the love of his family, all of whom will miss him dearly, including his wife, Kathleen Folger; son, Ethan Ward; brother, Eric (Barbara) Ward; nephew, Matthew (fiancée Emily Benedict) Ward; many cousins; and lifelong friend and creative muse, Lesley (Dan) Criscenti, all of Ann Arbor.

Scott had a profound passion for art, and his spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of those who loved him as well as through his artistic creations. To help other artists realize their dreams, Scott asked that memorial contributions be made to the New Art, New Artist (NANA) Fund administered by the Ann Arbor Art Fairs, dedicated to helping Michigan college students establish their artistic ventures and make significant strides in their careers.

Family and friends are invited to come together to celebrate Scott’s life and legacy at Muehlig Funeral Chapel (403 South Fourth Ave, Ann Arbor) on Friday, January 3rd from 2-4pm.