Robert Pond 1917-2009

[Pfishingruven]

ROBERT BISHOP POND, 92 Writer, Conservationist and Businessman

Robert Bishop Pond, 92, of Mendon Road, North Attleboro, a noted writer, conservationist and businessman died on December 26, 2009 at the Golden Living Center – Garden Place in Attleboro. He was the husband of Avis Elizabeth (Emery) Boyd with whom he shared many years and to whom he was married for seven years.

He was born on July 4, 1917 in New Rochelle, New York. He was raised and educated in New Rochelle and graduated from Syracuse University Forestry College, an education he credited for his lifelong conservationism.

During the World War II era, Mr. Pond was employed as a munitions inspector for the British, and later, the American government.

He is know throughout the East Coast saltwater fishing community as “Mr. Striped Bass” for his selfless efforts to save the Striped Bass from extinction. The Striped Bass was, and remains today, the premier recreational saltwater fishing species along the East Coast. In face of declining numbers of Striped Bass in the 1970s, Mr. Pond mobilized the members of Stripers Unlimited, an organization he had earlier founded to lobby both state and federal agencies, resulting in the Emergency Striped Bass Act of 1979, sponsored by the late Senator John Chaffee of Rhode Island.

In 1945, Mr. Pond developed his famous Atom plug, testing it in the Cape Cod Canal and manufacturing it in Attleboro. In his sales travels up and down the coast he noted a desire among striper fishermen to fish other states and so he developed the Tri-State Tournament in 1965 in which local clubs in Massachusetts, Maine and Rhode Island sponsor a weekend visit to their favorite local fishing spots. The Tri-State Tournament continues today as an honor code catch-and-release tournament.

Using his income from the Atom plug, in the early 1970s, he began a series of research trips to the Striped Bass spawning rivers of Maryland. He also attracted fish scientists and state hatchery personnel to join in his work. It was on these trips that Bob began to see serious deformities in spawning population and put out the call to get federal monies to research the problem. His efforts resulted in the Act of 1979, a subsequent moratorium, and eventual resurgence of the Striped Bass in the 1990s. In all these efforts he was assisted by his partner and the woman he would eventually marry, Avis Boyd.

He resided in North Attleboro for the past 20 years having moving to the community from neighboring Attleboro where he was a longtime resident.

Mr. Pond was a member of Bethany Village Fellowship in South Attleboro for more than 45 years.

In addition to his wife, Avis Boyd, he leaves his grandchildren: Glenn Haakmeeser of Georgia and Paul Trost and Christina Trost both of North Attleboro.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend a Memorial Service Celebrating His Life on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at 11:00 AM at Bethany Village Fellowship, 516 Newport Avenue, South Attleboro, Massachusetts with the Rev. Dr. Daniel Dore, Pastor, officiating.

Burial will be private.

Please omit flowers. Memorial donations in Mr. Pond’s name may be made to Save the Bay, Inc., 100 Save the Bay Drive, Providence, RI 02905 or by accessing the organization’s website at www.savebay.org.

Arrangements are under the direction and assistance of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home – the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200.

Thank you for all you did!  God Bless and RIP.

[Bucktail]

I didn't know him personally, but I had an opportunity to speak with him once, many years ago.  He was truly an innovator and pioneer of our sport.  More importantly, he struck me as being just a very nice man.

[Fishin Dude]

May he rest in peace. <`[[[[><