Charles Stephen (Steve) Bond, Commander, USN Retired, passed away on Friday, August 3, 2007, in Lompoc, California, after a valiant seven-year battle against cancer.

Steve was born on April 23, 1934, in Prestonburg, Kentucky. He graduated from Pineville High School as Salutatorian of his class in 1951. After graduation, Steve went to Washington, DC, where he attended George Washington University and worked for the Federal Communications Commission until his acceptance into the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, in 1953. Steve graduated from the USNA on June 7, 1957, and married his high school sweetheart, Teeny Grace, the following day.

Steve began a twenty-year Naval career upon graduation from Annapolis. He completed flight training in Pensacola, Florida, and received his wings in November 1958. A tour with Patrol Squad TEN in Brunswick, Maine, followed. In 1962, he reported to the U. S. Naval Postgraduate School and spent two years studying the engineering electronics curriculum. Returning to Washington, DC, he was introduced to weapons systems acquisition in the Navy's Special Projects Offic3e (POLARIS). In 1966, he reported to Patrol Squad FORTY-SIX at NAS Moffett Field, California, and flew the P-3 aircraft for two years, which was followed by duty with the Pacific Staff of the Operational Test and Evaluation Force at NAS North Island. He was involved in anti-ship missile defense, electronic warfare and the LAMPS projects, and headed the team for the operational appraisal of the new amphibious command ship, the USS BLUE RIDGE. He joined the Navy Space Systems Activity in late 1972 and became its Commanding Officer in February 1975. Commander Bond retired from the Navy on June 30, 1977, and moved with his family to Vandenberg Village.

Upon his retirement, Steve decided to learn more about art. He took every art class that was offered at Allan Hancock College. He became the editorial cartoonist for the Lompoc Valley News and contributed editorial cartoons to the Lompoc Record. Steve was a true "Renaissance Man" with many abilities. He was an artist, inventor, raconteur, and songwriter to name a few.

Steve and Teeny recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Steve is survived by his wife, Teeny, daughter, Amy Suzanne Lutton, of Lake Wales, Florida, and her husband Christopher and their four children, Stephanie, Jarod, Dale, and Charlee, and son, Perry, of Colorado. Steve is also survived by his sister, Dorothy Ellen Mason and her husband John of Lexington, Kentucky, and several nieces and nephews along with great nieces and nephews.

At a later date memorial services will be held at the United States Naval Academy with full military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to Santa Barbara Cancer Center, 2040 Viborg, Suite 140, Solvang, CA 93463.