Irrespective of the function, Richard “Dick” Bond acted because the driving pressure for instructional efforts in Greeley for greater than 50 years.
Bond’s development of training via packages and initiatives continues to influence the lives of a whole bunch of scholars nationwide.
Bond, who was born and raised in Salem, West Virginia, died on the age of 95 on Oct. 26 at The Bridge at Greeley, based on his obituary.
Bond served as president of three schools throughout Colorado: the College of Northern Colorado, Entrance Vary Group School and Morgan Group School.
Throughout his 10 years of service at UNC, beginning in 1971, Bond labored to create “an progressive, student-oriented and accessible establishment,” based on a UNC article. He ensured UNC was a educating college with college students as the first focus, labored to create a liberal arts neighborhood environment and targeted on rising variety and alternatives for all college students, his obituary stated.
Greater than 30 years in the past, Bond co-founded The Greeley Dream Staff, which inspires highschool college students to remain in class and plan for faculty. Because of his imaginative and prescient, the group serves greater than 1,800 college students yearly, based on Elizabeth Barber, govt director of The Greeley Dream Staff.
“Dr. Bond was a tremendous man of character who valued his household, neighborhood and entry to training,” Barber stated. “Thirty-six years in the past, as one of many founding fathers of The Greeley Dream Staff, he had a imaginative and prescient to problem the dropout downside and supply a pathway and funding for college kids to go to school.
Through the years, Bond and his household basis continued to remain concerned by offering scholarships to college students, based on Barber.
His “worth of instructional entry and giving again to others” impressed many individuals in the neighborhood, together with Barber, who stated Bond served as a mentor and function mannequin to her.
“He will probably be deeply missed and we’ll work exhausting to proceed to honor his reminiscence by serving others,” Barber stated.
Bond was additionally a founding member of the Weld Meals Financial institution and served as the primary president and CEO of the Weld Group Basis.
“Dick Bond was an excellent buddy and advocate of Weld Meals Financial institution,” CEO Bob O’Connor stated. “Dick performed an important function in establishing a dependable meals rescue and starvation aid program in Weld County. He will probably be enormously missed by us and the neighborhood, however the influence of his legacy will probably be felt for years to return.”
At UNC, Bond established a student-oriented tradition via the creation of departments, corresponding to Mexican-American Research, African-American Research and Ladies’s Research. In 2005, UNC formally acknowledged his legacy and contributions to the college by naming a dorm residence “Bond Corridor.”
“Dick was an excellent chief, and the legacy he left on our college is everlasting,” UNC President Andy Feinstein stated. “He cared deeply about UNC and labored tirelessly on behalf of our college students, school, and employees. Whereas this information is unhappy, I hope you’ll be part of me in celebrating Dick’s life and plenty of contributions to the college and broader neighborhood.”
At Morgan Group School, Bond collaborated with 4 faculty districts to assist highschool college students earn their diplomas whereas attaining affiliate levels from neighborhood faculty, his obituary stated. At present, this program is replicated throughout the state.
In 2012, Bond co-founded Salida del Sol Academy, a Ok-8 constitution and twin language faculty in east Greeley. Since its opening in 2014, he remained concerned as a board of director member up till lately.
After he retired from UNC, Bond served three phrases within the Colorado Legislature. His obituary listed political accomplishments together with anti-tobacco laws and different well being laws.
Bond additionally authored the Submit-Secondary Choices Act, which enabled college students to enroll in faculty programs whereas nonetheless in highschool. Years later, highschool college students throughout the state proceed to make the most of this program.
Bond earned bachelor’s and grasp’s levels at Salem School and the College of West Virginia. He went on to earn his Ph.D. in zoology from the College of Wisconsin.
Earlier than coming to Colorado, Bond started his educating profession in zoology and biology. He superior to holding a number of increased training roles at Elmira School in New York, the College of Liberia in Africa and Illinois State College.
Bond grew to become educational vp at Illinois State College within the wake of the civil rights motion within the late Sixties, based on his obituary. Over the following 5 years, Bond impressed his staff to embrace variety, hiring the primary Black school member within the historical past of the establishment.
He furthered his variety efforts by initiating a scholar change program, which later grew to become the Nationwide Pupil Change. This program has affected the lives of greater than 100,000 college students.
Bond is survived by his spouse, Reva; three sons, Dave Bond, Phil Bond and Mike Bond; and his daughter, Josette Bond. He is also survived by 5 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, six step-great-grandchildren and his sister, Nellie Jo Brissey.
A memorial service will happen at 11 a.m. Thursday on the First Congregational Church, 2101 sixteenth St., in Greeley. A reception will comply with on the Poudre Studying Middle, 8313 F St. in Greeley. A livestream and recording of the service will probably be out there at youtube.com/live/AmJ7zLXD5jY.
As an alternative of flowers, the Greeley Dream Staff, Poudre Studying Middle and Salida Del Sol Academy will settle for contributions in Bond’s identify, based on his obituary.
“He was obsessed with neighborhood service and philanthropy, inspiring these round him to contribute their time and assets,” his obituary stated. “He would hope this message resonates with you.”
