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Page 2 Fran and the President warmly reminisced about mutual friends and entertained each other with stories about Bob Hope, whom we would visit that afternoon. The President reminded Fran of the Honorary Doctorate she had presented him in 1984 to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of Jacksonville University. For a special memento, Fran had commandeered the JU maintainace staff to create a "golf club" from plumbing parts and an old length of pipe to present to the President along with his Doctorate. The President pointed to a corner next to one of the bookshelves where the "club" proudly resided. After about an hour, we rose to leave, and Fran asked President Ford if he minded if I took a picture of the two of them together, which, I gladly did. As badly as I wanted to ask if I could also take a picture with the President, and as surely as this gentle man would have said yes, I fought the impulse to impose on him. As we headed to the door, the President stopped and put his hand on my shoulder. "Frank, can I ask you for a favor?" he said. "Of course" I answered, thinking what in the world could the President of the United States ask of me?  The author's visit produced this letter from President Ford. "My son Steven is an actor," he said. "Do you think there is any way you could help him get a job?" I had to chuckle. It's a question I have been asked many times during the years, and most of the time I have a ready exit line. In fact, I knew that Steven was an actor so I smiled, extended my hand and said, "Mr. President, after all you did to heal this country, I'm sure that's the least I can do." So, if you ever stumble upon Suddenly Susan re-runs or if the DVD set is released, take note of the great performance by a handsome, blond haired anchorman in the two-part episode " A Tale of Two Pants." That would be Steven Ford. Watching Steven at his father's funeral services, I was prompted to view those episodes again. Steven was obviously ready for the role. He had done the hard work necessary in the trenches, and Suddenly Susan helped him appear as a featured player in movies such as Black Hawk Down and Carrie 2. You also may have seen him in episodes of JAG, Pensacola and Dr. Quinn. He was prepared, there when you needed him, reliable, honest and dependable. In reality, he was better than I remembered him at the time, and I liked his performance immensely then. The same can be said of his father. Time and fresh eyes provide perspective on many things, not the least of which is the legacy of Gerald Ford. Frank Pace is one of television's most prolific producers having produced nearly 500 episodes of network television. He currently produces the ABC hit George Lopez, which makes its 2007 debut on Jan. 24. A graduate of Jacksonville University, he was recently named to the school's Board of Trustees. Not bad for a C student.
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