Joe H. Ward Jr.
Submitted by Kent Ward
Joe H. Ward Jr., an educator and longtime member of the ASA, died on June 23 at the age of 84 in San Antonio, Texas. As a research scientist for the U.S. government early in his career, Ward developed a number of innovative strategies using computer models in the Air Force Human Resources Laboratory, including a hierarchical clustering procedure that was used extensively in the Air Force’s Comprehensive Occupational Data Analysis Program, a decision index used for sequential classification of personnel to jobs, and a policy development approach for combining multiple measures of outcomes into a single value.
Ward took a five-year leave of absence from the Air Force in 1966 to become the director of the Educational Technology Project in Texas that developed computer-based scheduling and instructional modules for the public education system. He then collaborated with Earl Jennings at The University of Texas at Austin to author Introduction to Linear Models in 1973.
After retirement, Ward became a champion for statistics education and was a longtime volunteer instructor at the Northside Health Careers High School in San Antonio, where he was a mentor to students in statistical methods for use in science and engineering fair projects. He traveled across the country many years as a judge for the International Science and Engineering Fairs, accompanied by his wife of 62 years, Bettie.
Ward’s work in education in San Antonio culminated in 2004 when he was honored with the opening of the Joe H. Ward Elementary School in the Northside Independent School District. He spent the remainder of his life involved in the activities and projects of the school that was his namesake.
Joe Ward was a friend, a mentor, and an all around great guy – one of the most giving people I’ve ever known. He will be missed by many for so many reasons. Joe truly made a difference in the lives of those who were lucky enough to know him.