Obituary of Robert David Bonds

Robert David Bonds, age 71, of Ashburn, Virginia, passed peacefully in his sleep surrounded by family on Sunday, August 26th, 2012. Bob was the son of the late Hope Edward and Francis Huddleston Bonds, originally from Badin, North Carolina, where Bob was born. Bob graduated from University of Evansville in 1964, where he met his future bride, Mary Ann Young. During college, Bob was a very active member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity where he made many lifelong friends. Bob and Mary Ann were married in 1964 in Lexington, Kentucky where Mary Ann's parents lived. After college, Bob and Mary Ann moved to Indianapolis, Indiana where Bob began a career in technology with Bell Telephone. While in Indianapolis, their son, John Edward, was born. The importance of family was paramount to Bob and was demonstrated in 1972 when he changed jobs to move his young family to Lexington, Kentucky to be closer to his in-laws. While in Lexington, Bob worked for Island Creek Coal and Xerox before transferring with Xerox to a position in California. He also worked for several other technology companies during his career in Silicon Valley. Upon retirement, Bob and Mary Ann moved to northern Virginia in 2008 to be near their son, daughter-in-law, Jeanine Dick Bonds, and their future grandson, Luke. Bob's interest in his family was seen as he became an avid genealogical researcher. After Luke was born, Bob found his greatest joy spending time with his grandson. As his health declined and limited his travel, Bob enjoyed using the latest technologies to research the family tree and to videoconference with Luke as they laughed and played together. Bob is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; his son and daughter-in-law, John and Jeanine; grandson, Luke; as well as by his brothers and their wives, Edward and Nancy and Richard and Barbara; and his sister and her husband, Elizabeth and William Saville. He is also survived by many other relatives living in North Carolina. A memorial service will be held at 2:30pm on Thursday, August 30th at the Chapel at Missionhurst, 4651 North 25th Street, Arlington, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the National Parkinson's Foundation.