Richard Randolph Bond

Dick was born and raised in Salem, West Virginia, and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Salem College and the University of West Virginia, respectively. He earned his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Wisconsin and then began a career in teaching zoology and biology. Dick advanced to higher education administration positions at Elmira College in New York and the University of Liberia in Africa. In the wake of the civil rights movement in the late 1960’s he accepted a position as Academic Vice President at Illinois State University. Over the next five years, Dick recognized the value of cultural diversity and equal opportunity. In response to the influx of black students from Chicago and East St. Louis, Dick inspired his team to embrace diversity, hiring the first black faculty member in the history of the institution. While at Illinois State, he initiated a student exchange program with four other universities for the purpose of adding cultural diversity to the students’ educational experience. The program became the National Student Exchange and has affected the lives of over 100,000 students.

In 1971 Dick was hired as the president of the University of Northern Colorado. His primary goals were to ensure that UNC be a teaching university with students as its primary focus, to create a liberal arts community atmosphere, and increase diversity and opportunities for all students. Dick established a student-oriented culture by establishing Departments of Mexican-American Studies, African-American Studies and Women’s Studies. Dick held to his belief that 10 years was a sufficient amount of time to serve as president of any university and resigned in 1981, turning his attention back to the classroom as a teacher and to state government.

Dick served three terms in the Colorado Legislature. In addition to his anti-tobacco legislation and other health legislation, Dick authored the Post-Secondary Options Act which enabled students to enroll in college course work while still in high school. Today, hundreds of high school students across the state take advantage of this program.

He is likely the only leader to have served three presidencies of colleges in Colorado: UNC, Front Range Community College and Morgan Community College (MCC). While at MCC , collaboration with four school districts enabled high school students to earn their high school diploma while simultaneously completing their Associate’s degree from MCC. Today, this program is widely copied across the state.

Dick was one of the six diverse founding members of the Greeley Dream Team, designed to encourage high school students to stay in school and to plan for college, the organization celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2022. He also served as the first President/CEO of the Weld Community Foundation which today provides $3MM in philanthropic support.

In 2012, Dick led the development of a charter school in East Greeley, Salida del Sol Academy, the only K-8 dual language school in Weld County. In September of 2014, the school officially opened and he remained involved as a member of the board of directors until recently.

For the past 50+ years Dick Bond has been a driving force in the evolution of education in Greeley, the state of Colorado, and nationally. He was passionate about community service and philanthropy, inspiring those around him to contribute their time and resources. He would hope this message resonates with you.

Dick was a member of the First Congregational Church in Greeley and the Greeley Rotary Club. He was a founding board member of the Weld County Food Bank and The Greeley Dream Team and served on nonprofit boards too many to mention.

Dick, was first and foremost proud of his family; his wife Reva of 77 years was the light of his life and supported him in all his endeavors. He was exceptionally proud of his children, watching them grow into “caring persons, excellent parents and productive and community-oriented citizens”. The same could be said for the way he felt about his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who carry on his values for future generations.

Dick Bond is survived by his extraordinary and loving wife, Reva, sons, Dave (Karen) Bond, Phil Bond and Mike (Judy) Bond, daughter, Josette Bond, five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, 6 step-great grandchildren, and a sister Nellie Jo Brissey.

A Memorial Service will be held on November 16, 2023, at the First Congregational Church, 2101 16th Street, Greeley, at 11:00 a.m. A reception will immediately follow at the Poudre Learning Center, 8313 W. F Street, Greeley.

A livestream or recording of the service is available at https://youtube.com/live/AmJ7zLXD5jY?feature=share.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Dick’s name may be made to The Greeley Dream Team, Poudre Learning Center, and Salida Del Sol Academy.