Stuart Padnos tribute to President Ford

Stuart Padnos conceived of “48”, his scrap sculpture of a University of Michigan football player, as a tribute to his friend, President Gerald R Ford. Ford wore the number 48 when he was a leader on the Michigan team in the 1930’s. By coincidence, 1948 was also the year President Ford first ran for Congress, and Seymour and Stuart Padnos were avid supporters.

Skilled welders at IXL Machine Shop, a division of Louis Padnos Iron & Metal Company, fabricated the sculpture during the winter of 2002-2003, and our gallery photo shows the sculpture shortly after it emerged from the shop, before being placed on “sculpture row” along Pine Avenue in Holland. When officials at the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum heard about the sculpture, they inquired whether or not it might be available for permanent placement on the Museum grounds. Stuart and the Company were naturally pleased and honored to be able to oblige. The sculpture was formally unveiled and dedicated at the Museum on July 31, 2003, during the celebration of President Ford’s 90th birthday.

Click here to see the New York Times article