From Wizbang's piece, with which I whole-heartedly agree:
Ford, though, played the genial, amiable elder statesman role to the hilt. He played his golf. He showed up for certain ceremonial events, when called for -- but like he had over the rest of his life, never sought the limelight.
Ford will now be at the center of the limelight one last time, as a nation that rejected him 30 years ago now pays its last respects to one of the most decent men to ever hold the highest office in the land.
Rest in peace, Gerry. You did right by us. It just took us a while to realize just how well you did.