Joseph Ward, esteemed doctor, medical researcher, was 87

Riverdale resident Joseph Ward, a local doctor and medical researcher, died July 3 after a year-and-a-half battle with cancer. He was 87.

Dr. Ward was born in Northern Ireland, where he began his medical career. There he taught his future wife, Ann Ward, while she was in medical school, and followed her when she moved to the United States to complete her residencies, according to son Desmond Ward. They were married in Baltimore in 1958.

Dr. Ward was a senior attending urologist at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center. He loved education and continued learning. He became an associate clinical professor of urology at Columbia University and always encouraged his students to gain as much education as they could, his son said.

“He had a natural ability to get along with people, and he loved surgery,” Desmond Ward said. “Even when he was retired, he still read up on it.”

He conducted research on bladder cancer and published 40 peer-reviewed papers. Despite his heavy workload, he always spent time with his family, his son recalled.

“He encouraged education and worked hard, but he also took the time to throw the ball in the yard,” Mr. Desmond Ward said.

He was also an avid gardener and a member of the Riverdale Yacht Club. He was always an optimist and known for his bedside manner.

“He was always happy and content and encouraging,” his son said.

Dr. Ward was predeceased by his wife, Ann Ward, who died in 2007, and his son Francis Ward, who died in 1983. He is survived by his daughter Fiona Clapp and her husband, Gregory Clapp; his son, Desmond Ward, his wife, Julie Ward; and six grandchildren.

Services were held at Fred H. McGrath & Son Funeral Home on July 6.