Obituary for Bradford Bates
Bradford Bates passed away suddenly on Monday, November 16th.
He is survived by loving wife, Lydia Richardson Bates; children, David, Frances (Steven) Oare, and Bradford D.; brother, Philip; grandchildren, Andrew (Tara), Karen, Jacob, and Rebecca; nephews, Jay, Rick, and Philip III; and niece, Penny. He was preceded in death by his oldest brother, Charlie and his nephew, Benjamin.
Born to Eleanor and Philip Bates in Boston Lying-In Hospital on October 13, 1937. He lived in Belmont, Massachusetts and Santa Monica, California before returning to Boston to earn a bachelor's degree at MIT in Electrical Engineering.
Bradford married Lydia Richardson in 1960 in Andover, New Hampshire with whom he joyously celebrated 60 years of marriage this past summer. He worked at Litton and Honeywell before starting a career at Ford Motor Company in 1972 that that checked all of the boxes of love of cars, computers and engines. There he would eventually lead the Alternative Power Sources Department designing cars with engines that ran on variable cylinders, hydrogen, and batteries and started with rubber bands earning numerous patents.
He loved bicycling and rode with the Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society for 43 years leading a regular Wednesday evening ride on the West Side of Ann Arbor for many years with his son Bradford. He enjoyed camping, canoeing and hiking. He was a leader of Boy Scout Troop 123 where he enjoyed many trips with the scouts including leading a trip to Philmont Scout Reservation in New Mexico. He loved photography and enjoyed several excursions with the Ann Arbor Camera Club capturing scenes from Maine and Japan.
He was one of the founders of the University Commons retirement community and served twice as the president of the board. He enjoyed music all of his life. It was with particular joy that he would attend the horn concerts of daughter Frances and later concerts and recitals for his grandchildren Jacob and Rebecca, accomplished violin players. He loved attending the concerts of the Ann Arbor’s own Symphony Orchestra. The radio was always tuned to WRCJ Classical and Jazz. He would be honored if in lieu of flowers anyone inclined would consider a donation to either of these community programs that brought him so much happiness over the years.
His humor and joy in life will be greatly missed. He loved celebrating with friends and family.
Due to COVID a ceremony honoring his life will be held in the future when safe.
He is survived by loving wife, Lydia Richardson Bates; children, David, Frances (Steven) Oare, and Bradford D.; brother, Philip; grandchildren, Andrew (Tara), Karen, Jacob, and Rebecca; nephews, Jay, Rick, and Philip III; and niece, Penny. He was preceded in death by his oldest brother, Charlie and his nephew, Benjamin.
Born to Eleanor and Philip Bates in Boston Lying-In Hospital on October 13, 1937. He lived in Belmont, Massachusetts and Santa Monica, California before returning to Boston to earn a bachelor's degree at MIT in Electrical Engineering.
Bradford married Lydia Richardson in 1960 in Andover, New Hampshire with whom he joyously celebrated 60 years of marriage this past summer. He worked at Litton and Honeywell before starting a career at Ford Motor Company in 1972 that that checked all of the boxes of love of cars, computers and engines. There he would eventually lead the Alternative Power Sources Department designing cars with engines that ran on variable cylinders, hydrogen, and batteries and started with rubber bands earning numerous patents.
He loved bicycling and rode with the Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society for 43 years leading a regular Wednesday evening ride on the West Side of Ann Arbor for many years with his son Bradford. He enjoyed camping, canoeing and hiking. He was a leader of Boy Scout Troop 123 where he enjoyed many trips with the scouts including leading a trip to Philmont Scout Reservation in New Mexico. He loved photography and enjoyed several excursions with the Ann Arbor Camera Club capturing scenes from Maine and Japan.
He was one of the founders of the University Commons retirement community and served twice as the president of the board. He enjoyed music all of his life. It was with particular joy that he would attend the horn concerts of daughter Frances and later concerts and recitals for his grandchildren Jacob and Rebecca, accomplished violin players. He loved attending the concerts of the Ann Arbor’s own Symphony Orchestra. The radio was always tuned to WRCJ Classical and Jazz. He would be honored if in lieu of flowers anyone inclined would consider a donation to either of these community programs that brought him so much happiness over the years.
His humor and joy in life will be greatly missed. He loved celebrating with friends and family.
Due to COVID a ceremony honoring his life will be held in the future when safe.