David Lee Pond

David Lee Pond, that was me, departed his family and friends (not many friends) in Yuma, AZ January 2021. I was born in Illinois in October, 1949, one year before my lifelong mentor, Charlie Brown of the Peanuts comic strip. I was just like Charlie Brown with his round head (at least when I was fat) and an ever-present tee shirt. Susan, my wife, use to call my attire Early Salvation Army, she gave up on my dress after several years.

I was raised in a small farming community in Illinois, helping my father on the farm. Meanwhile my four sisters chased boys. I never chased girls. When I graduated from High School I knew that I wanted to live far away from the farm and pigs. I graduated with a Degree in Chemistry from Westminster College in 1971 with a draft lottery number of 125. That number was low enough to assure me a position in the United States Army. For the rest of my life I never won another lottery (you have to buy a ticket to win and the lottery is for people who cannot do math). I was already in ROTC, as my motto from my Boy Scout days was Be Prepared. In the military that motto was changed to the 7P's or Piss Poor Planning Produces Piss Poor Performance. Therefore in 1971, I was ready for the Military as a Second Lieutenant; the Military just was not ready for me. I spent two years in the Army stationed at US Army Yuma Proving Ground, AZ (YPG) working as a Chemist in the YPG Laboratory, and trying to avoid Maj. Martin. After my two years of Military service, I applied for a job as a civilian Chemist in the same YPG laboratory and spent 35 years as the chemist there (same building, same office, same desk, same job,; you have to apply to get promoted).

I met my wife Susan in Yuma at a coworkers house. She was invited over for a beer and I was over fixing a TV and neither of us knew the other was coming, a devious plot that worked out very well. We were married in Yuma and produced a family of three wonderful children. I was active with my children in their school, Boy & Girl Scouts and as a helper in sports. I was not athletic at all but could herd kids. I was fiercely independent and would do most anything to keep from asking someone to help me do something, but Susan on the other hand just loved to volunteer me for everything (so much for being a loner). It did keep me busy and out of trouble.

I am survived by a daughter Stephanie (Sergei) Kosakovsky Pond, a son Andrew (Rae-Landa) Pond, a son Kevin (Clarissa) Pond and six grandchildren, Rosaline, Gavin, Andersen, Vera, Rory and Benjamin. Oh yeah, and those four sisters. Remember sisters, Mom always liked me best.

I was preceded in death by a lot of people to include my parents Merton L and Frances Pond and my beloved wife Susan M. Pond (Boyer). By the way, in my normal use of the 7P's I did compose the above myself, while still in sound mind, even though Susan always said the kids got my brains but she still had hers. I will admit that I had to ask for help with the place and date of death. I hope that you get a little laugh out of my obituary, I want it that way, I lived a good life, trained my children well and have no problems in passing the world on to the next generations.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice of Yuma, Boy Scouts, or Girl Scouts of America.