Gems & Gemology mourns the loss of acclaimed photographer and gemologist Fred Ward, who died July 19 at the age of 81. Mr. Ward was known for capturing iconic images of celebrities and for his work with National Geographic magazine, which sparked his gemological pursuits.
Mr. Ward was born in Huntsville, Alabama, and grew up in Miami. His passion for photography blossomed in high school, when he decided to turn his extracurricular activity into a career. He earned a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Florida in 1959.
Well known for his shots of President John F. Kennedy’s funeral in November 1963 and the Beatles’ first American performance (1964), he photographed Gerald Ford for Portrait of a President (1975). Mr. Ward’s work can be found in collections owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Library of Congress, among others. Mr. Ward became interested in gemology as a freelance photographer for National Geographic, where he worked on several assignments related to gems. He went on to publish the highly influential nine-volume Fred Ward Gem Book Series. He earned his Graduate Gemologist diploma from GIA in 1990 and was a member of the Washington, DC chapter of the GIA Alumni Association. He was a coauthor of G&G’s Spring 2000 article “Burmese Jade: The Inscrutable Gem.”
Fred Ward is survived by his wife of 58 years and frequent collaborator Charlotte Mayes Ward, four children, and four grandchildren. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Gems & Gemology mourns the loss of acclaimed photographer and gemologist Fred Ward, who died July 19 at the age of 81. Mr. Ward was known for capturing iconic images of celebrities and for his work with National Geographic magazine, which sparked his gemological pursuits.
Mr. Ward was born in Huntsville, Alabama, and grew up in Miami. His passion for photography blossomed in high school, when he decided to turn his extracurricular activity into a career. He earned a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Florida in 1959.
Well known for his shots of President John F. Kennedy’s funeral in November 1963 and the Beatles’ first American performance (1964), he photographed Gerald Ford for Portrait of a President (1975). Mr. Ward’s work can be found in collections owned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Library of Congress, among others. Mr. Ward became interested in gemology as a freelance photographer for National Geographic, where he worked on several assignments related to gems. He went on to publish the highly influential nine-volume Fred Ward Gem Book Series. He earned his Graduate Gemologist diploma from GIA in 1990 and was a member of the Washington, DC chapter of the GIA Alumni Association. He was a coauthor of G&G’s Spring 2000 article “Burmese Jade: The Inscrutable Gem.”
Fred Ward is survived by his wife of 58 years and frequent collaborator Charlotte Mayes Ward, four children, and four grandchildren. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends.
