For those formerly associated with the Ford of Europe Systems Office, or its successor organisations.
For those formerly associated with the Ford of Europe Systems Office, or its successor organisations.
Details of the Ford careers of deceased colleagues are pitifully scarce on this website. That's because it's normally too late to construct a career record after someone has died. Fellow workers have a partial memory, and a family may merely know that they 'worked for Ford'.
Nick Garbers was born in 1933. After school (of which we know little), he studied law at Hamburg. It culminated with the award of a PhD. In 1962 he joined Ford Germany as an analyst-programmer.
Within six years he was appointed Systems Manager for Ford Germany, suceeding Harry Gebert. There he initiated development of the Integrated Personel Information System (IPIS).
In 1970, after the formation of Ford of Europe, he became its Manager of Sales & Accounting. Several key systems for vehicles and finance were developed under his leadership. Nick retired from Ford in 1983.
Reinhard Bertuleit remembers when Nick was appointed head of Systems. "He was full of energy and open to everything new. He was ahead of his time as a strategist. He played a major part in development of systems for Ford in Germany and throughout Europe."
"As a colleague, Nick was highly valued for his fairness as well as his professional and personal competance. We shall keep his memory with honour."
Nick died on 1st October 2026.
Former manager of Manufacturing Systems , Horst died on 15th November 2025. He was 81.
Reinhard Bertuleit writes: " It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear colleague and friend Horst Gierlich. For many years he lived with the gradually increasing limitations brought on by his illness.
He was a colleague who was highly valued for his absolute reliability, fairness, and both his professional and human competences. Throughout his career, he was known for his positive attitude, his sense of humor, and his remarkable team spirit. We will always remember him with gratitude and affection."
Hans was born in Berlin in 1938 and emigrated to the US at age 20. He gained degrees in electrical engineering at Wayne State University and soon after joined Ford Motor Company.
Most of his career was in information technology, including a five year assignment as manager of PD Systems in Europe. There he pioneered integration of micro-processor technology in vehicle engine systems. He died in September 2025.
Formerly financial controller of the EAO Systems Office, Tony died on 15th February 2015. He was 70.
He joined Ford in 1969 and his first placement was with Product Development Systems. He soon transferred to Finance Staff, where he spent the rest of his career— in Product Development, Ford France, the EAO Treasury and finally in the Systems Office. He retired in 2003.
Graham, former Director of the EAO Systems Office died on 10th February 2015. He was born in 1934 and brought up in Devon. He studied at the London School of Economics, and after graduation worked for Shell overseas.
After returning home, Graham joined Ford in 1965 as a finance manager. He worked in Ford Germany until 1979. In 1983 he was appointed Director of Systems for Europe. In 1995 he moved again, to Michigan as Director of worldwide Manufacturing Systems. He retired in 1996.
In retirement Graham began further study and was awarded a PhD by Templeton College, Oxford in 2006.