Bob L. Bonds
1938-2007
(7th) Most Honorable Grand Commander in Chief
Served: 2006-2007
Bob Bonds was raised a Master Mason in September 1969 in Lessing Lodge #464, located in Evansville, Indiana. He joined the Scottish Rite and Hadi Shrine in 1970. He also has joined the York Rite bodies in Evansville, and has received the Legion of Honor Degree.
After becoming a Shriner, he joined the Hadi Shrine Motor Patrol and was elected to the officer line in 45 days. He served the Motor Patrol as Treasurer, Vice-President and President. During his presidency, he was able to reorganize the unit into a Motor Corps and expand from one small class of motorcycles to three classes including the 1200 cc Harley units plus two classes of dune buggies.
After completing his year as President of Hadi Motor Corps, Bonds was asked to serve on Hadi's Divan, and on January 11, 1983, he was elected Potentate. At that time, he organized and chartered Hadi Shrine Legion of Honor. He was also elected to become a member of the Royal Order of Jesters in 1976.
After serving as Potentate, he served the Imperial Shrine as Regional Director for Endowment Wills & Gifts Committee for five years. In 1987, he served Hadi Shrine Legion of Honor as Commander and shortly after served as Public Relations Director for Hadi Shrine. Afterwards, he was elected to the Great Lakes Legion officer line and served as Commander in 1991.
In 1994, he became the Director General of the International Legion of Honor and served through 2004. In 1998 he was elected as Commander of Hadi Shrine Legion of Honor for the second time and has served as Adjutant for five terms.
Bonds joined the Sword of Bunker Hill - Pocket City Order #82 in the early 1970's. He was elected Commander in 1976 and inducted 322 candidates under his command. He served as Commander again in 1998 and has served as Secretary-Treasurer for the last five years.
Bob Bonds was appointed and installed as the seventh Most Honorable Grand Commander in Chief by his predecessor, William E. Wenger, M.H.P.G.C.C., on July 29th, 2006 at the Fifty-Fifth Grand Order Session.
He was married to his wife, Ruth, and they were married 49 years prior to his passing.
He spent his entire life in the sales business. He was in the plumbing, heating and air conditioning industry. Prior to his death, Bonds worked as a Sales Representative for R.E. Michel Company Inc., a wholesale distributing company.
April 4, 2007 - Commander's Message, Sword of Bunker Hill Website
It is with much sorrow that I announce the passing of our Most Honorable Grand Commander in Chief, Bob L. Bonds. Bob Bonds passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2007 at 5:11 PM, Daylight Savings Time, at IU Medical Center in Indianapolis, IN. Cmdr. Bonds was diagnosed with APL Leukemia one week prior to his death. Bob was a great friend and I know he will be truly missed by all. Please pray for his wife, Ruth, and the rest of his family, as they are going through a very difficult time.
I would also like to ask that each Order have a moment of silence in honor of Cmdr. Bonds at their next Sword gathering. Bob would want us to continue moving forward and have continued growth in our great organization.
I have spoke with the majority of the Grand Officers and know that we are all working together to make this as smooth of a transition as possible. Please remember to keep the Bonds family in your thoughts and prayers.
April 5, 2007 - Courier and Press, Evansville, Indiana
Bob L. Bonds, age 68, died Tuesday, April 3, 2007, at Indiana University Hospital in Indianapolis, due to acute promyelocytic leukemia.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Amy and Vernon Bonds; his sister, Valerie Pounders; and his nephew, Stanley Pounders.
Bob is survived by his wife, Ruth Webb Bonds; brother, Ronnie Bonds and wife, Hazel; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He worked for R.E. Michel as a sales representative in the heating and air conditioning business.
Bob was a Master Mason of Lessing Masonic Lodge No. 464. He was proud to be a Past Potentate of the Hadi Shrine and an officer in Hadi Legion of Honor, Commander Great Lakes Shrine Association Legions of Honor and International Legions of Honor. He was also a member of Royal Order of Jesters.
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 7, 2007, at Alexander East Chapel, officiated by Reverend Ronnie Bonds, with entombment at Alexander Memorial Park. Friends may visit Friday from 2 to 8 p.m., with a Masonic service at 7 p.m., at Alexander East Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 1, Evansville, IN 47701. Condolences may be made online at www.mem.com. Arrangements by Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Ave.
After becoming a Shriner, he joined the Hadi Shrine Motor Patrol and was elected to the officer line in 45 days. He served the Motor Patrol as Treasurer, Vice-President and President. During his presidency, he was able to reorganize the unit into a Motor Corps and expand from one small class of motorcycles to three classes including the 1200 cc Harley units plus two classes of dune buggies.
After completing his year as President of Hadi Motor Corps, Bonds was asked to serve on Hadi's Divan, and on January 11, 1983, he was elected Potentate. At that time, he organized and chartered Hadi Shrine Legion of Honor. He was also elected to become a member of the Royal Order of Jesters in 1976.
After serving as Potentate, he served the Imperial Shrine as Regional Director for Endowment Wills & Gifts Committee for five years. In 1987, he served Hadi Shrine Legion of Honor as Commander and shortly after served as Public Relations Director for Hadi Shrine. Afterwards, he was elected to the Great Lakes Legion officer line and served as Commander in 1991.
In 1994, he became the Director General of the International Legion of Honor and served through 2004. In 1998 he was elected as Commander of Hadi Shrine Legion of Honor for the second time and has served as Adjutant for five terms.
Bonds joined the Sword of Bunker Hill - Pocket City Order #82 in the early 1970's. He was elected Commander in 1976 and inducted 322 candidates under his command. He served as Commander again in 1998 and has served as Secretary-Treasurer for the last five years.
Bob Bonds was appointed and installed as the seventh Most Honorable Grand Commander in Chief by his predecessor, William E. Wenger, M.H.P.G.C.C., on July 29th, 2006 at the Fifty-Fifth Grand Order Session.
He was married to his wife, Ruth, and they were married 49 years prior to his passing.
He spent his entire life in the sales business. He was in the plumbing, heating and air conditioning industry. Prior to his death, Bonds worked as a Sales Representative for R.E. Michel Company Inc., a wholesale distributing company.
April 4, 2007 - Commander's Message, Sword of Bunker Hill Website
It is with much sorrow that I announce the passing of our Most Honorable Grand Commander in Chief, Bob L. Bonds. Bob Bonds passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2007 at 5:11 PM, Daylight Savings Time, at IU Medical Center in Indianapolis, IN. Cmdr. Bonds was diagnosed with APL Leukemia one week prior to his death. Bob was a great friend and I know he will be truly missed by all. Please pray for his wife, Ruth, and the rest of his family, as they are going through a very difficult time.
I would also like to ask that each Order have a moment of silence in honor of Cmdr. Bonds at their next Sword gathering. Bob would want us to continue moving forward and have continued growth in our great organization.
I have spoke with the majority of the Grand Officers and know that we are all working together to make this as smooth of a transition as possible. Please remember to keep the Bonds family in your thoughts and prayers.
April 5, 2007 - Courier and Press, Evansville, Indiana
Bob L. Bonds, age 68, died Tuesday, April 3, 2007, at Indiana University Hospital in Indianapolis, due to acute promyelocytic leukemia.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Amy and Vernon Bonds; his sister, Valerie Pounders; and his nephew, Stanley Pounders.
Bob is survived by his wife, Ruth Webb Bonds; brother, Ronnie Bonds and wife, Hazel; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He worked for R.E. Michel as a sales representative in the heating and air conditioning business.
Bob was a Master Mason of Lessing Masonic Lodge No. 464. He was proud to be a Past Potentate of the Hadi Shrine and an officer in Hadi Legion of Honor, Commander Great Lakes Shrine Association Legions of Honor and International Legions of Honor. He was also a member of Royal Order of Jesters.
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 7, 2007, at Alexander East Chapel, officiated by Reverend Ronnie Bonds, with entombment at Alexander Memorial Park. Friends may visit Friday from 2 to 8 p.m., with a Masonic service at 7 p.m., at Alexander East Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, P.O. Box 1, Evansville, IN 47701. Condolences may be made online at www.mem.com. Arrangements by Alexander East Chapel, 2115 Lincoln Ave.
