Richard Harlan Bond

Richard Harlan Bond

January 31, 1936 - January 29, 2020
Anaheim CA

Richard Harlan Bond

January 31, 1936 - January 29, 2020
Anaheim CA

Obituary

Richard Harlan Bond, 83, of Newport Beach, California, lost his fight with cancer on Wednesday, January 29th, 2019 at the City of Hope treatment center in Duarte, California. He was born January 31st, 1936 to Margaret and Bill in Norfolk, Nebraska. He attended Lincoln High School and went on to graduate from the University of Nebraska in 1958. He studied History and Education, and was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity.

After graduation, he worked at JL Hudson, a retail company in Detroit. In 1959, he married JoAnne Devereaux. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Houston, where Richard worked in sales for Hamilton Manufacturing Company. An entrepreneur at heart, he tried his hand at several businesses, including the Red Baron, which was quite successful, expanding to several major cities in Texas. Richard and JoAnne had two children, Darin and Shannon, who were both born in Houston in 1967 and 1970 respectively.

In 1980, Rich moved to California, where he founded Coast Landscape, a commercial landscaping and maintenance company that is still well established today. His first major contract was in Anaheim Hills. Richard always resided within Orange County, but also enjoyed vacationing in Lake Arrowhead, eventually maintaining a residence there as well.

In addition to his business pursuits, he spent much of his leisure time playing golf, boating, gathering with buddies at the fitness club, and had a lifelong passion for driving and collecting cars, both modern and classic. He is one of very few people to have received a plaque from Cadillac for owning more than 50 in his lifetime. He also received many awards for golf, including two hole-in-one’s at Champions and in Lake Arrowhead.

His eclectic and diverse friendships speak to his relatable, easygoing, and generous nature. He had a style and demeanor uniquely his own; traditional and simple and yet youthful and hip at the same time. Nostalgic at heart, he frequently referred to himself as “just a guy from Nebraska”, traveling back to Lincoln for many years to visit his Alma Mater and watch the Cornhuskers play their homecoming game.

Although he had many virtues of a “small town” guy, Rich accomplished many great things and had a full, adventurous life. He had a strong character and was a loyal friend to many. A devoted father and grandfather, he placed great importance on providing places for family to gather and have fun. Most would agree, he is certainly one of the funniest people around. His sense of humor and sometimes unusual perspective was never in short supply. He had an amazing impact on so many lives and was an extraordinary blessing. He will be missed..

He is survived by his son Darin, daughter Shannon, and four grandchildren (Preston, Chase, Kenzie, and Colton), brother Ron, and sister Bonnie, as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Bob and Billy.

Memorial Services are scheduled with O’Connor Mortuary at 25301 Alicia Parkway in Laguna Hills, CA 92653 with a Saturday Visitation February 22, 2020 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm and the Sunday Funeral Service: February 23, 2020 10:00 am.

Visitation

  • Date & Time: February 22, 2020 (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
  • Venue: O'Connor Mortuary
  • Location: 25301 Alicia Parkway Laguna Hills, CA 92653 - (Get Directions)
  • Phone Number: (949) 581-4300

Funeral Service

  • Date & Time: February 23, 2020 (10:00 AM)
  • Venue: O'Connor Mortuary
  • Location: 25301 Alicia Parkway Laguna Hills, CA 92653 - (Get Directions)
  • Phone Number: (949) 581-4300

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63 responses to Richard Harlan Bond

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  1. liz laroff says:

    ‘TURN OUT’ As we drove up the mountain for the first time I think it was 1995 I could not stop looking at you. You were so good looking. I was so happy I was not sure I was in a dream or awake. You said,”nothing ever stays the same”. I said, “do you mean us?” You said, “no, country clubs. People leave and then it is never the same”. You pulled into the turn out so cars could go by. I looked at the beautiful view. Was I in a dream or was this real? After you died 26 years later you left. Nothing was the same again. I will wait for you at the turn out when it is my time to go to heaven. Then we can be the same again. I will be holding a pine cone in my hand. Love, Lizbeth xxxooo

  2. liz laroff says:

    ‘FIREWORKS’ Our first fourth of July together I think was 1995. We were in Arrowhead in the backyard of a couple you knew. It was a beautiful day blue sky the clear blue lake. Warm about 80 degrees perfect California weather. You were talking to the man and I to the lady. I turned and you were looking at me. We all went out to lunch at a Mexican place up in the hills. We were sitting in a booth I next to you you held my hand again. I remember being so happy I was not sure I was in a dream or awake. Time stood still. We went to watch a fireworks show that evening over the lake in somebody’s home. You were holding my hand. I just had a strong feeling this was the start of something really big, but I had no idea what. It ended up being 26 years of the best time of my life, until you died. It was the best fourth of July I ever had. Love Always, Lizbeth

  3. liz laroff says:

    Hi Richard, happy 3rd year in heaven. I miss you so much. I remember about one and a half months before you went to heaven they moved you to a new hospital. I found your room and peeked in to make sure it was your room. You were looking right at me as I put my face in your doorway. For a moment I forgot you were dying. Your eyes were so big and blue. You looked like Steve McQueen movie star. in that bed. I thought to myself that is my boyfriend and when he gets out of here we are going to have some fun! Then I remembered you were not going to get better. That you were not coming home or going anywhere. You were dying. I walked in and sat by your bed trying to hide my tears but, you saw them and you started to have a quivering lower lip. You were so medicated up I am not sure what you thought, but you told the nurse,” I was your girlfriend.” and that is how I will always be your girlfriend. Love never dies. I Love you Forever for Eternity, Love Always, Lizbeth

  4. liz laroff says:

    Hi Sweetheart, Travel your path with hope and peace in heaven. My tears flow into liquid love. I will never forget you and I will always be your girlfriend. One day in God’s time we will be together again. Just have to wait. I hope I wake up sitting by your on our front porch at the Arrowhead house. Just where we left off. Try and meet me in my dreams. I have had a few. Say hello to my dad and everyone for me and kiss Char and my other animal friends. I hope you can play golf up there! Miss going to lunch with you in Arrowhead. Holding your hand. Sitting on our bench by the lake in Arrowhead with an ice cream cone. Walking in the village holding hands. You are my baby driver the best driver in the hole state. Thank you for all you did for me. I love you forever. Love Always, Lizbeth

  5. liz laroff says:

    ‘LIGHT OUT IN ARROWHEAD’ You were 20 years older than me. One sexy, good looking older handsome man. I thought I died and went to heaven when I saw you. A mix of Nebraska, Texan, California guy. Sports cars, luxury cars, speed boat, houses, country clubs, friends, other females wanting you. Kept me on my toes for 26 years. Sometimes a dream sometimes a nightmare. I weighed 105 lbs when we met. A dancer’s body, a runner a hiker, happy. Serenity. Then you died. The world stopped. I stopped. The dream and love gone. I look for you in the clouds now. All roads lead to Arrowhead and one day we will be back on that road together. I still keep your ashes by me. Someone turned the lights out in Arrowhead when you died. I was walking the trail then I fell off when you died. Before you died you said, “I was a loyal friend and that you always had me in your heart”. You never left my heart and never will. Love you forever, your girlfriend, Lizbeth xxxooo

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