SHELDON E. "NED" NUSS

Sheldon E. "Ned" Nuss, age 61, Ford Motor Company engineer, died Sunday, October 15, 2006, at his home in Farmington Hills, Mich., after a battle with cancer. He was born October 3, 1945, in Topeka, Kan., the son of E. Maurice and Mary E. Nuss. He graduated from Topeka High School and attended Washburn University. He then graduated from Pittsburg State University with a degree in automotive technology.

After graduation from college, Ned was employed by Ford Motor Company as a customer service representative in Milwaukee, Wis. He then transferred to the engineering department of Ford in Dearborn, Mich. Working in the ride and handling department, he received a patent for an adjustable suspension stabilizer bar in 1987. His health-related retirement from Ford was in 2005.

Always an avid hobbyist, he was the founder and president of the Topeka Rocket Society while in high school. His interest in remote control airplanes led him to serve as president of a remote control airplane club in the Detroit area. He also enjoyed collecting Lionel trains, sailing, playing golf and collecting cars.

Ned married Shirley Cover on May 29, 1970. They later divorced. He married Doris Coon in 2004.

He is survived by his wife, Doris; daughter, Melissa Nuss, Northville, Mich.; brother, Larry Nuss, Fort Scott; sister, Susie Reichenberger, Mount Hope; and three nephews.

Services will be at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 18, at Henney-Sundquist Funeral Home in Michigan. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.