Stephen W. Pond

POND, Stephen W.
Was born on February 7, 1940, and died on December 10, 2004, at Sutter General Hospital, surrounded by his family, after a courageous 14-year battle with kidney cancer. Steve fought against his cancer with persistence and optimism until he died. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Camille; his daughters Cynthia Pond and Victoria (Nathan) Austin; son David (Christine) Pond; his mother, Jeanne Pond; and his grandsons Cody Pond and Colin Austin. He is also survived by his twin brother Lewis (Patricia) Pond, brother Brian (Diane) Pond, his sister Susan Pond, and by his brother-in-law and sister-in- law, Phil and JoAn Soto. He was preceded in death by his father, Wendell Pond. He will also be missed by many relatives and friends. Steve grew up in Sacramento and attended C. K. McClatchy High School, Sacramento City College, and received his Bachelor's Degree from Cal State Sacramento. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1958-1962. He did many things in his career: he worked as an accountant, and later in life owned Rear Engine Repair, which specialized in Volkswagens and Porsches. For the last seven years he has worked at Kragen's Commercial Department, and he so thoroughly enjoyed what he was doing that he worked until the day he entered the hospital for the last time. Steve had a very mechanical mind and loved to figure out how things work. He was an avid reader and particularly liked to read about advances in medicine and science. He loved playing golf, listening to opera or any vocalist with an outstanding voice, going to the beach, but most of all he loved to be with his family. He was very proud of his three children and absolutely thrilled with his two grandsons. Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Mass on December 19, 2004, at 1:00 PM, at Holy Spirit Church, 3159 Land Park Drive, in Sacramento. Remembrances may be made to the Sutter Cancer Center, Attn: Research, 2800 L Street, Suite 410, Sacramento, CA 95816, or to the Kidney Cancer Association, 1234 Sherman Avenue, Suite 203, Evanston, IL .