An outstanding educator and churchman, Harley D. Bond, died December 18, 1969, after a life of service to youth, to his church, and to the community of Salem, W. Va., where he had resided for forty years. Funeral services were held at the Salem Seventh Day Baptist Church of which he was a deacon.
Born at Lost Creek, W. Va., Harley Bond was graduated from Salem College in 1923 and taught in the public schools of Sardis and Lost Creek, W. Va., before earning a master's degree in biology from West Virginia University. After further graduate work at Columbia University he joined the faculty of Salem College in 1929. In addition to his teaching he was dean of Salem College from 1935 to 1940 and treasurer from 1940 to 1962. From 1965 until his retirement in 1968 he was coordinator of Federal programs for the college and advisor to the student newspaper.
Professor Bond was elected president of the Seventh Day Baptist General Conference for 1942 in recognition of his character and leadership ability. He was employed as executive secretary of the Conference with offices at Plainfield, N. J., from 1962 until 1965. During this period he worked in the Baptist Jubilee Advance, in conversations with the American Baptist Convention representatives, in social action studies and in preparations for the organization of the Seventh Day Baptist World Federation in 1964. He also did much to strengthen harmony in the denomination and continued to serve as a member of the conference Council on Ecumenical Affairs until his death.
On June 16, 1924, Harley Bond was married to Miss Marcella Randolph of Lost Creek, W. Va. She died in 1966. They were parents of Dr. Richard R. Bond, vice president of Illinois State University, Normal, Ill., and Mrs. Richard D. (Nellie Jo) Brissey, Hinsdale, Ill., who survive with six grandchildren.
The Bonds befriended generations of Salem College students in their home. Widely respected and beloved, Harley Bond was a member of the Masonic order, the American Legion (U. S. Army, World War I), the Watershed Conservation Association, and was active in other civic affairs. He was clerk and historian of the Salem Seventh Day Baptist Church at the time of his death.
A. N. R.
