Earl Pond

Earl Ray Pond
POCATELLO - Earl Ray Pond, age 84, of Pocatello, Idaho, passed away on July 21, 2008, due to a sudden illness.
He was born in Twin Falls, Idaho, to Frances M. (Brown) and Atwood Earl Pond. Earl grew up on the family farm in Filer and graduated from Filer High School. He then went onto college and first attended Idaho State University in 1941, when the institution was the University of Idaho, Southern Branch.
During World War II he served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a sergeant, and returned in 1946, to what was then Idaho State College and received a bachelor of science degree in accounting. After graduation he was appointed general manager of the Associated Students of Idaho State College, and later was assigned the additional position of director of the Student Union Building. While employed in these positions, Pond was instrumental in the development of the ISU Outdoor Program and C.W. HOG (Cooperative Wilderness Handicapped Outdoor Group).
Earl married Mary T. Fogg on September 4, 1949, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pocatello.
He loved golfing, walking, city politics, fishing, reading, sitting on his front porch to visit with old friends and meet new friends. He enjoyed walks to the Pond Student Union to share coffee and stories with university friends and students.
His family includes, daughters, Teresa K. (Rick) Cagen of Portland, Oregon, Michele M. (Ned) Pond-Bell of Pocatello and Rebecca A. (Keith) Kearns of Park City, Utah; son, Stephen (Casey) Pond of Centerville, Utah; grandchildren, Christopher B. (Sarah) Hunter of Portland, Michele Hunter/Iron Munson, Portland, Dave I. (Rachel) Cagen of Seattle, Steve W. (Natasha) Cagen of Mexico City, Mexico, Christian P. Bell of Pocatello, Joseph E. Pond of Centerville, Teresa A. Pond, Centerville, Thomas R. Kearns, Park City and Ryan T. Kearns of Park City; as well as great-granddaughters, Kaia M. Hunter, daughter of Chris and Sarah and Stella R. Cagen, daughter of Dave and Rachel. He was preceded in death by his brother, Boyd Pond and sister, Lois Fenwick.
Pond retired in 1982-83 after 34 years at ISU and accepted a full-time position as president of the Pocatello Regional Medical Center Foundation. Prior to his retirement he was a member and president of the St. Anthony Community Hospital governing board and the PRMC governing board. In the last several years, he has also served on the Portneuf Medical Center's Foundation Board.
Pond stayed active in university affairs and has served as a member and president of the ISU Alumni board of directors. He is a charter member of the Bengal Foundation and was inducted in to the ISU Athletic Hall of Fame. He also has received the Alumni Association's William J. Bartz Award for service to the university. He was a charter member of Phi Sigma Kappa social fraternity and served as chapter advisor and district governor.
Pond has been an active member of the Pocatello community for years, serving as mayor from 1961 to 1965, and serving 23 years on the city council. He has been president of the Association of Idaho Cities and was a board member for many years, receiving the association's coveted Harold Hurst Leadership Award in 1993. He also was recognized by the Idaho Daily Statesman with a Distinguished Citizen Award.
He has been a board member and president of United Campaigns, board member and president of Industrial Lands and worked with the local Forest Service board in the maintenance of recreational areas on Scout Mountain. He worked closely with the Pocatello Housing Authority for several years, assisting families and the elderly with their housing needs. He has worked with many other community boards and committees including the Marshall Public Library Board and the Pocatello Airport Board.
On the state level, Pond has served as a member of Idaho Region VI Sub-area Health Council, member of the State Certificate of Needs board, member of the State Board of Medicine, and chair of the history committee for the Idaho Centennial Celebration. He received a Centennial Achievement Award form the Idaho Centennial Commission.
Well-known for his gift of humor, Pond wrote a humor column for many years for the Pocatello Tribune and The Intermountain Observer.
In 1985, the students of Idaho State University gained approval to name their student union the Earl R. Pond Student Union Building. He receive the honorary degree of doctor of laws in 1996 from ISU. Earl's diploma stated, "In recognition of his long period of service and his contributions to Idaho State University as well as to Pocatello and the region; for his ability to develop consensus and to move with calm optimism that things can change for the better; for his example of voluntary public service with dedication, intelligence, tolerance, humor and grace; for his demonstrating that success as a public servant does not necessitate leaving Idaho, or necessitate accumulation of money or political honors, Idaho State University confers upon Earl R. Pond the Honorary Degree, Doctor of Laws with the rights, privileges and honors there to pertaining."
Dr. Earl R. Pond will be greatly missed.
A Catholic rosary and visitation will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24 at Holy Spirit Catholic Community, St. Anthony's Chapel on North Seventh. A memorial Mass will be held Friday, July, 25 at 1 p.m. at the church. Following, a reception for family and friends will be held at the Red Lion Inn, 1555 Pocatello Creek Road. In addition, a celebration of life will be planned for later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the ISU Foundation for the Idaho State University Alumnae Center, Campus Box 8050, Pocatello, Idaho 83209. Services are under the care of Downard Funeral Home, 241 North Garfield Ave. Pocatello.