Obituary: Gilbert Pond - Class of 1952

MADISON [Wisconsin] - Gilbert Pond, age 68, of Madison went home to the Lord on Nov. 8, 2002, after a long and courageous battle with severe emphysema and cancer. He was born on Sept. 10, 1934, in Madison, Wis., the son of Gilbert C. and Vera M. (Larson) Pond. Gib graduated from Central High School in 1952, and served his country honorably as a paratrooper in the U. S. Army Airborne. On May 31, 1958, he was united in marriage to Jane Runnoe, his wife of 44 loving years. He closed his work career working as the Senior Systems Consultant for OnCourse Information Services, Inc. (formerly Wisconsin Office & Data Systems, Inc.). He was one of the early participants in putting together the Wisconsin Harvest Food Recycling Program (now an integral part of the Second Harvest Program) and served on their Board of Directors for a number of years. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Golf Club, Inc. for over 21 years, providing support for the U.W. Men's and Women's golf programs. Gib loved the Lord and his family above all else. In 1957, he was in the original class of teachers for the Bethel Bible Series. Subsequently he served as one of the original representatives for the Adult Christian Education Foundation (ACEF) traveling the United States and Canada on behalf of the Bethel Bible Series program. Following this he continued to serve this ministry as a long-time member of the ACEF Board of Directors. Gib's life-long passion for Bible study and teaching were evident in his service to his own congregation. Lakeview Lutheran Church. He wrote and taught Lakeview's Adult Sunday School (Bible Study) Program for the past several years. He is survived by his wife, Janet; two sons, Jeffrey of Madison, Wis. and Keith (Tracy) of Burkburnett Texas; four grandsons, Jeremy, Andrew, Tyler and Austin; mother, Vera Pond; brother, Donald (JoEllen) Pond; a sister, Diane Smith (fiance, Tom Wilson) and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Gilbert C. Pond; Gib's first wife, Barbara (Howard) Pond; and father-in-law, Wilson "Cozy" Howard (Barbara's father) A celebration of life is scheduled at LAKEVIEW LUTHERAN CHURCH, 4001 Mandrake Road on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2002, at 11 a.m. Friends may call at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be made to Lakeview Lutheran Church or the church of you choice. The family extends special thanks to Dr. Kevin-McAllister and Dr. Bernard Micke for their medical expertise, tireless dedications and caring that they administered to Gib for many years. Ryan Funeral Home 2418 N. Sherman Ave. 608-249-8257

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on November 10, 2002; submitted by Michael Vahldieck (Class of 1968)