UAH Archives, Special Collections, and Digital Initiatives

Bob Ward Collection

Dublin Core

Identifier

Bob Ward Collection

Title

Bob Ward Collection

Description

"Bob Ward (1934 to 2018), a former managing editor and editor-in-chief of the "Huntsville Times," has written extensively about space since 1957. The recipient of numerous awards, he covered the Wernher von Braun rocket team as a "Times" reporter and as a correspondent for technical and trade periodicals in New York. The Birmingham, Alabama, native studied engineering at Auburn University, then journalism and history at the University of Alabama, before joining the daily newspaper where he worked for forty-three years. Since his retirement, Ward has been active as a freelance writer."

Taken from "Dr. Space: The Life of Wernher von Braun."

Futher information about Bob Ward may be found at https://obits.al.com/obituaries/huntsville/obituary.aspx?n=robinson-j-ward-bob&pid=188519907&fhid=5535.

Collection Items

  • spc_ward_000025_01.mp3

    Short phone call where Bob Ward inquires about Ivo Sparkman's husband, Senator John Sparkman, and his relationship with President Roosevelt. Side 1 to 3:00 mark.
  • spc_ward_000024_01.mp3

    Bob Ward calls Frances G. Moore to ask about stories relating to Wernher von Braun. Main story relates to what some of the engineers did after work. Side 1 through 24:00.
  • spc_ward_000023_01.mp3

    Bob Ward gets lunch with Lee B. James. They discuss stories relating to Wernher von Braun over lunch. Mentioned are von Braun's meeting style, speeches, salesmanship, and how he handled publicity. Both sides of tape.
  • spc_ward_000022_01.mp3

    Phone call between Georg von Tiesenhausen and Bob Ward on working with Wernher von Braun on the V2 rocket. Bad static in first half of tape. Entirety of side 1.
  • spc_ward_000021_01.mp3

    Phone conversation between Bob Ward and Rocky Clarke on Wernher von Braun. Topics covered include von Braun's humor and his relations with other team members. Entirety of side 1.
  • spc_ward_000020_01.mp3

    Frank Williams talks to Bob Ward about Wernher von Braun. Of particular note are stories regarding von Braun's office relationships and his ability to communicate. Both sides of tape, through side 2 is inaudible.
  • spc_ward_000019_01.mp3

    Phone call from Bob Ward to Harry Atkins. Conversation about Wernher von Braun stories and how the space program began in Huntsville. Also discussed is historical revisionism around von Braun and his team. Side 1 of tape up tp 42:30.
  • spc_ward_000018_01.mp3

    Bob Ward calls Chuck Lundquist to talk about and stories he knows relating to Wernher von Braun. Lundquist relates a few tales relating to von Braun's work in the early days of NASA as well as his family and the way he handled meetings. Entirety of side 1.
  • spc_ward_000017_01.mp3

    Phone call from Bob Ward to Ed Barisford regarding any stories involving Wernher von Braun he knew. Barisford related a couple stories about von Braun's flying habits, which was his primary connection to Barisford. Side 1 to 32:00.
  • spc_ward_000016_01.mp3

    Talk between Leland Belew and Bob Ward about Wernher von Braun. Belew relates a couple of stories relation to von Braun's planning ability, his role in Skylab, and his awareness of his illness. Both sides of tape.
  • spc_ward_000015_01.mp3

    Conversation between Bob Ward and Jay Foster on interaction with Wernher von Braun. Foster relates a number of stories touching on von Braun's love of flying and professional associations, among others. Both sides of tape.
  • spc_ward_000014_01.mp3

    Bob Ward interviews P. Petroff, asking about Wernher von Braun stories. Petroff relates a number of stories relating to von Braun's early life. Side 1 of tape.
  • spc_ward_000013_01.mp3

    Conversation between Bob Ward and Ed Grubbs, a pilot of Wernher von Braun. Covered are von Braun's love of flying and his health towards the end of his life. Side 1 through 11:40 on side 2.
  • spc_ward_000012_01.mp3

    Interview between Bob Ward and Alex McCool. Topic covered included Wernher von Braun's interactions with Marshall personnel as well as how history will interpret von Braun. Both sides of tape.
  • spc_ward_000011_01.mp3

    Phone call between Bob Ward and C.E. Monroe. Short talk centers around Wernher von Braun and living on Monte Sano in Huntsville, Alabama. All of side 1.
  • spc_ward_000010_01.mp3

    Phone call between Dorette Schlidt and Bob Ward on different aspects and emotions of the von Brauns leaving Huntsville, Alabama. Side 1 thru 6:00.
  • spc_ward_000009_01.mp3

    Phone conversation between Bob Ward and Mr. Hewitt. Hewitt speaks about Wernher von Braun's gift for oration and some of the stories he shared about his past. Full side of tape.
  • spc_ward_000008_01.mp3

    Phone call between Dr. William Pickering and Bob Ward on encounters Pickering had with Wernher von Braun. Not very audible. Side 1 up to 19:00.
  • spc_ward_000007_01.mp3

    Side one of tape is a recording of a speech given by Tom Wolfe to a Rotary Club on the making and the early years on the United States space program. Recording followed by a note from Ward.
  • spc_ward_000006_01.mp3

    Fred Ordway talks about notable stories with Wernher von Braun, including attending meetings, hunting, and von Braun's sense of humor. Both sides of tape.
  • spc_ward_000005_01.mp3

    Phone Conversation with a Senator on interactions with astronaut John Glenn and Wernher von Braun. Full side of tape.
  • spc_ward_000004_01.mp3

    Interview with Dr. William Lucas on Wernher von Braun, comparing and contrasting him to Robert Goddard and setting up the University of Alabama in Huntsville, along with other stories. Both sides of tape.
  • spc_ward_000003_01.mp3

    Interview with Jim Shepherd on memories from Wernher von Braun, including him hunting and working with space camp. Both sides of tape.
  • spc_ward_000002_01.mp3

    Interview with Tom Shaver on Wernher von Braun, describing his character, personality, and funny stories from his time as von Braun's assistant. Entirety of side one, side 2 through 45 minute mark.
  • spc_ward_000001_01.mp3

    Phone Conversation with Dr. Adolf Thiel about Dr. Wernher von Braun and their time working together at Peenemünde and in the United States. Side 1 begninning to 14:18.

Collection Tree