Ralph Edward Bond

Ralph Edward Bond, age 92, of Columbia, MO, passed away at home of natural causes the morning of 13 April 2022. A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Colfax, IA, on 9 July 2022 for both Ralph and his beloved wife Kathleen who transitioned 24 March 2021.

Ralph E. Bond was born in Colfax, IA, on 1 March 1930 to Nellie Maurine Bond and William Wilford Bond. He attended Colfax High School where he played in the school band, was a glee club member, and participated in athletic events. Ralph was in 4-H work for five years where he was president of his county and local club and elected president of the state of Iowa 4-H organization in 1947. He graduated high school in 1948 and entered the University of Iowa that fall. After a year and a half of higher education Ralph decided to enter the United States Navy. He enlisted in the fall of 1950 and in January 1951 traveled to San Diego, CA, for boot camp and dental technician training. The following year Ralph was united in marriage to Esther Kathleen Bond on 9 August 1951. Ralph decided to go back to school in the early 1960′s to pursue his bachelor degree. He attended Iowa State University and earned a BS in Physical Science in 1966. Continuing his scholastic endeavor, he earned a Master of Science degree in Veterinary Pathology from the University of Missouri in December 1971 and graduated from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in St. Joseph, MO, in May 1991.

Ralph was a man of many interests. He loved working on cars and supporting his sons in their drag racing pursuits. He sold real estate, was a new/used car salesman, and was half owner of a plumbing business in Columbia, MO. Around 1997-1998 Ralph and Kathleen participated as a team in Doctors Without Borders traveling to Mexico utilizing their medical and health care skills to attend to society’s less fortunate and disadvantaged. One constant in his professional life, and that of which he was most proud, was his Navy career where he served as a Hospital Corpsman. He retired from the United States Naval Reserve on 1 March 1990 as a Senior Chief Petty Officer with 39 years of service.

Ralph is survived by his three sons, William G. Bond, Roy E. Bond, and David R. Bond; two brothers, Carl W. Bond and Howard F. Bond; seven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.