Warbird Information Exchange

Robert Pond, who helped establish the Palm Springs Air Museum more than a decade ago, died Friday at age 83.

He suffered an brain hemorrhage and died at Desert Regional Medical Center, said his secretary, Jo Anne Kennon.

Pond opened the museum to "educate, promote and remember all the people during World War II that made great sacrifices, particularly airmen," Museum Vice Chairman Ken Miles said.

"Bob was an avid aviator," Miles said. "He flew in World War II with the U.S. Navy."

Though Pond's name is synonymous with the museum, which is one of the region's most prominent tourist attractions, his presence has been felt around the Coachella Valley.

He supported many local institutions, such as College of the Desert and Desert Regional Medical Center, said local community activist Peggy Cravens.

"Once he became genuinely interested in something, he got fully behind it," she said.

Pond and his wife of 32 years, Jo Rose, moved to Palm Springs in 1989. He brought with him years of love and experience with airplanes that led to the local museum opening on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 1996.

It originally included a pair of 20,000-square-foot hangars with a resource library, theater and gift shop on 52,000 square feet of land. By 2005, the museum grew to 67,000 square feet.

More than 100,000 people visit it every year, according to the museum.

The Minnesota native fell in love with airplanes when he was 10.

"As kids do, I started making models," he said in a biography provided by the museum. "About that time, my dad took me to Chicago and gave me my first plane ride. In the process of enjoying the ride in the copilot's seat, I stuck my arm out the window and realized you could lose an arm that way."

He joined the U.S. Navy Air Corps program in 1942.

"It wasn't easy," he said in the biography. "I had to threaten that I was going to join the Army. It was a bit of a devious way."

He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1948 and later bought his first airplane - a Cessna 180.

He bought more aircraft over the years, including 14 World War II Warbird fighter jets that are on display at the air museum.

Before opening the local museum, he established the Planes of Fame East Air Museum at Flying Cloud Field in Eden Prairie, Minn. It closed in 1997 and the collection was moved to Palm Springs.

"He just had a love of planes," Palm Springs Air Museum board member Gloria Greer said.

He spent 12 years as chairman of the museum's board of directors and was named chairman emeritus in 2005.

"He was very proud of the air museum and particularly proud of all the volunteers at the air museum who gave their free time to support it," Miles said.

Pond is survived by his wife, their four children, Polly Pond Holley and Harry Brand, both of Minnesota, Angela Pond of Los Angeles and Roseann Brand of Palm Springs; three grandsons and two great-grandchildren.

Details on funeral services were expected to be available today.

A public memorial service will be held Tuesday to mourn the passing of Robert Pond.

Pond, a founder of the Palm Springs Air Museum, died Friday after suffering a brain hemorrhage. He was 83.

The memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday at the air museum, 745 N. Gene Autry Trail.

Pond was a Navy pilot in World War II. It was that passion that led him to establish the museum, which opened on Veterans Day in 1996.

Pond also was an avid automobile collector and supporter of major Coachella Valley institutions, including College of the Desert and Desert Regional Medical Center.

Rep. Mary Bono on Saturday called Pond a "dear friend."

"Bob was an extraordinary man who achieved much and gave much back to the community and people he loved," Bono, R-Palm Springs, said in a statement.

"We have lost one of our valley's most cherished residents, and I extend my most sincere sympathy to all those who knew and loved Bob."

Pond is survived by his wife, Jo Rose, their four children, three grandsons and two great grandchildren.

There is no public viewing or burial service scheduled, according to Forest Lawn Mortuary in Cathedral City.