GU remembers its great friend Buddy Bond, 1936-2022
Published: April 26, 2022
Longtime friend of Greenville University and GU students, Morris “Buddy” Bond, age 85, passed away April 19, 2022.
A former instructor in GU’s business department, he was the namesake of the University’s annual Morris L. Bond Award that recognizes outstanding business students. The award echoes Buddy’s life and legacy, his talent for leadership, his professional accomplishments in banking and healthcare, and his heart for the Greenville community.
Buddy Bond pursued his undergraduate work at Clemson University and earned a master’s in business administration from St. Louis University in 1967. Though he commuted daily from Greenville to his work in St. Louis as a banking executive for many years, his affections for his hometown never flagged.
Man for all seasons
Alan Gaffner, former Greenville mayor and director of public affairs for Greenville Regional Hospital, worked closely with Buddy over the years when Buddy served on the hospital board and on the Governor Bond Lake Committee.
He remembers Buddy as a “man for all seasons”—an expert at management, organizational and analytical skills, problem solving, and attention to detail. Buddy’s exemplary commitment and work ethic ensured a long line of accomplishments.
“Underpinning his life of service was a strong faith in God,” said Gaffner. “Family was a priority.”
Generosity multiplied
Buddy’s generous gift of time and talent benefited the community time and again.
- As chairman of the Greenville Regional Hospital board, he oversaw the hospital’s expanded footprint and services, including the addition of an independent senior living complex.
- Four times during his retirement, he served the hospital as interim chief executive officer while the board worked to fill the CEO position.
- His balanced perspective as a fisherman and boater helped advance the work of the Governor Bond Lake Committee, on which he served.
- He also chaired the building committee that oversaw the design and reconstruction of the church sanctuary at the Greenville First United Methodist Church after a devastating fire.
Deep Faith
“Faith in God, and Christ the Savior, were the foundation for Buddy's life,” said Gaffner. “Throughout [the] significant medical challenges Buddy experienced, as well as in his professional and volunteer callings, Buddy was grounded, comforted, and strengthened by the eternal truths of living the Christian life.”
Buddy is survived by his wife of 59 years Pat (Hunter ’62), daughter Stephanie Bond, son Michael ’92 Bond, and seven grandchildren.
Visitation is scheduled from 11 am to 2 pm, Saturday, April 30, 2022, at the First United Methodist Church, 310 South Second Street, Greenville, Illinois. A celebration of life service follows at 2 pm with interment at Mt. Auburn Cemetery.
Friends and family may designate memorials in Buddy’s memory to The Bond Memorial Scholarship at Greenville University.
Read Buddy Bond’s full obituary.
