A house RESOLUTION

 

to express the profound sorrow of the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives upon the passing of Robert Stewart Bond and to extend their deepest sympathy to his large and loving family and his many friends.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the passing of Robert Stewart Bond on April 19, 2026, at the age of seventy-eight; and

 

Whereas, born on January 4, 1948, in Columbia, Robert Stewart Bond was the son of the late John Murray Bond and Dorothy Feagle Bond. He attended Cardinal Newman High School and served as quarterback of the football team. Upon graduation in 1966, he continued his education at the University of South Carolina. Mr. Bond left the University of South Carolina prior to graduation to join the United States Air Force, a testament to his dedication and patriotism; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Bond served in the United States Air Force Special Operations Command from 1968 to 1971, including service in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. After returning from overseas, he was stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah, where he escorted Minuteman III missiles by train; and

 

Whereas, following his military service, he worked at his family business, Bond Equipment Company. In 1978, he joined Pearce-Young-Angel Monarch, later known as US Foods, where he was proudly respected and valued in the food service industry until his retirement in February 2025; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Bond's faith was an important foundation in his life. He sought to live with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, forgiveness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, virtues that were evident in the consistent way he treated others and the calm strength he offered in difficult moments; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Bond enjoyed traveling on cruises with his beloved wife, Karen, and family. A devoted Carolina Gamecocks supporter, he followed all of the teams and especially cherished Gamecocks football, attending as many games as he could. He was the life of the party, his humor and happiness drawing people in with ease. He had a deep, natural love of music, always ready to sing, tap, or dance, and was able to play any instrument by ear, especially the piano. He enjoyed playing the drums in a band in his free time, and there was hardly a moment when he wasn't keeping time with a hand or foot to whatever rhythm was near. He loved all of his cats and took joy in playing tennis and practicing karate; and

 

Whereas, above all, Mr. Bond was a loving husband and family man. He is survived by his beloved wife, Karen Dowling Bond, to whom he was married for twenty-two years, his loving children, Laura Bond Touchberry, Meredith Bond Koss, Erin Tarkir, Lauren Boesch, and Kristina McElroy, and his grandchildren, Sidney Touchberry, George Touchberry, Olivia Koss, Jackson Koss, Riley Fulmer, Joshua Boesch, Olivia McElroy, and Kennedy McElroy. He was preceded in death by his loving parents, his sister, Dorothy "Dottie" Profilet and her husband Clarence Profilet, and his brother, John Bond; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are grateful for the life and legacy of Robert Stewart Bond and for the remarkable example of kindness and sacrifice that he set for all who knew him. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Robert Stewart Bond and extend their deepest sympathy to his large and loving family and his many friends.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Robert Stewart Bond.

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