Richard J. Ferris, the longtime co-chairman of Pebble Beach Co. as well as leader of a number of other hotel companies, has died at the age of 85 after a three-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
Ferris was born in Sacramento, Calif., on Aug. 31, 1936. He served three years in the U.S. Army before entering Cornell University, where he graduated in 1962 with a degree in hotel management. That same year, Ferris joined Western International Hotels, later renamed Westin Hotels, as a staff planner. Four years later, he was general manager of the Continental Plaza Hotel in Chicago and would go on to other leadership posts within Westin’s portfolio.
Subsequent to United Airlines’ acquisition of Western International Hotels, Ferris became president of United’s Food Services Division in 1971, and group VP of marketing in 1974. In 1975, he was appointed president of United Airlines. He would go on to become CEO of United in 1976 and chairman of the board in 1978. Ferris became CEO of Allegis Corp. in 1979 and chairman and president in 1982. At the time of his retirement in 1987, Allegis was the parent company for The Hertz Corp., United Airlines, Westin Hotels and Hilton International. Ferris also served on the boards of Rockwell Collins, Proctor and Gamble, and BP-AMOCO during his career.
In 1991, Ferris partnered with Peter Ueberroth to purchase a stake in Guest Quarters Suites Hotels from General Electric Investments Corp. Ferris and Ueberroth served as co-chairmen and under their leadership, the company acquired Doubletree Hotels in 1993, took the company public in 1994, and merged with Promus Hotel Corp. in 1997. During this period, the number of hotels under management grew from 40 to 1,300.
Ferris served as an independent director and chairman of the PGA Tour Champions policy board from 1985 to 1992. He then joined the PGA Tour’s policy board in 1992 and became its chairman in 1993, a position he held until he stepped down from the policy board in 2007.
Pebble Beach
He next returned Pebble Beach Resorts to American ownership. In 1999, Ferris—with his business partner Peter Ueberroth and their friends Arnold Palmer, Clint Eastwood and Bill Perocchi—brought together a group of business leaders and athletes who acquired Pebble Beach Co. from Sumitomo Bank and Taiheiyo Club. Ferris would go on to serve as co-chairman of the board for more than 20 years and continued to serve as a director until his death. During his tenure, the owners invested more than $600 million into the property. Ferris was at the center of many of those capital improvement projects.
“I’m going to miss my close friend Dick, but am thankful for the over 50 years we were able to spend together. Dick had so many talents, infectious enthusiasm, drive and determination, but on the top of the list, he was a great partner—the best!” said Ueberroth. “What made our partnership so special is that we brought our different perspectives to all major decisions and always agreed on ways to improve Pebble Beach Co. for our partners, employees and customers. Dick’s contributions will be felt for years to come, and we have confidence in Brian and Heidi to carry on in partnership for the next generation.”
As recognition for their contributions to golf, and in particular their commitment to preserving Pebble Beach, the World Golf Hall of Fame will recognize Ferris and Ueberroth on March 9 with their first ever Lifetime Achievement Award.
“All of us at Pebble Beach Co., and throughout the golf world, are heartbroken by the news of Dick’s passing,” said Perocchi, who now serves as Pebble Beach co-chairman and worked with Ferris for 30 years. “Dick loved Pebble Beach and Pebble Beach certainly loved Dick. Whenever Dick was on property, there was a buzz in the air—he had a unique ability to connect with our employees. Dick’s eye for details was legendary, whether he was touring our golf courses, inspecting rooms or reviewing the latest rollout of our bell staff uniforms. We have lost a true icon in the hospitality industry. We will miss him dearly.”
A celebration of life will be held on Feb. 11 at the Pebble Beach Resorts Beach and Tennis Club in Pebble Beach, Calif. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either the PGA Tour First Tee Foundation or the Tahoe Community Sailing Foundation.
Dick is survived by his wife of 59 years, Kelsey, his three sons, Andrew, Brian and Mark, and his eight grandchildren.