1-1                                     1                                  
 1-2                          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 660
 1-3                                  In Memory
 1-4                                     of
 1-5                          Walter Lewis Pondrom, Jr.
 1-6           WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the
 1-7     citizens of Austin in mourning the loss of distinguished physicist
 1-8     Dr. Walter Lewis Pondrom, Jr., who died March 24, 2001, at the age
 1-9     of 84; and
1-10           WHEREAS, Born in Beaumont, Texas, on June 30, 1916, Walter
1-11     had a lifelong passion for learning and always wanted to understand
1-12     the workings of the universe; and
1-13           WHEREAS, After earning his doctoral degree from
1-14     The University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Pondrom worked from 1941
1-15     to 1951 as an assistant professor of physics at the university
1-16     and as a research physicist with the Military Research Physics
1-17     Laboratory there; and
1-18           WHEREAS, He was married in 1940 to Josephine Kolar Pondrom,
1-19     and the devoted couple provided a nurturing home for their daughter,
1-20     Victoria; the family moved to Whittier, California, in 1951, where
1-21     he worked for what was to become Rockwell International; and
 2-1           WHEREAS, At Rockwell, Walter was active in the development
 2-2     of inertial and geophysical instruments, and he served in
 2-3     management positions in general physics, systems, and instrument
 2-4     groups; and
 2-5           WHEREAS, Despite his busy career, Dr. Pondrom was a wonderful
 2-6     husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather; he took time
 2-7     for kite flying, trips to the park, board games, and bedtime
 2-8     stories; and
 2-9           WHEREAS, Highly esteemed among his colleagues, Dr. Pondrom
2-10     later retired from Rockwell as lead theoretician in laser gyro
2-11     development; in 1983, he was named Engineer of the Year, Rockwell's
2-12     highest honor for engineering achievement; and
2-13           WHEREAS, Returning to Austin after their daughter,
2-14     Victoria, became a widow in 1988, Dr. and Mrs. Pondrom were
2-15     there to give comfort and assistance to Victoria and her family;
2-16     when Mrs. Pondrom's health began gradually to fail, Dr. Pondrom
2-17     cared for her until her death in June, 2000, after almost 60 years
2-18     of marriage; and
2-19           WHEREAS, Still fascinated by the mechanics of the universe,
2-20     Dr. Pondrom continued to work on his own theories about relativity;
2-21     he was a man of honor and love and of intellectual brilliance and
2-22     ethical clarity; and
2-23           WHEREAS, The wise counsel and sound judgment of
2-24     Walter Lewis Pondrom, Jr., will be remembered with love and
 3-1     gratitude by all who valued his wisdom and expertise; and
 3-2           WHEREAS, Dr. Pondrom leaves a legacy of commitment and
 3-3     compassion which will be cherished by those who shared his life;
 3-4     now, therefore, be it
 3-5           RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
 3-6     77th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to the
 3-7     members of his family:  his daughter, Victoria Sullivan Hendricks;
 3-8     his sister, Sybil Fuge; his granddaughters, Joanna Sullivan and
 3-9     Ruth Ellen Friede; and his two great-grandchildren; and, be it
3-10     further
3-11           RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for the
3-12     members of his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from
3-13     the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it
3-14     do so in memory of Dr. Walter Lewis Pondrom, Jr.
3-15                                                              Barrientos
3-16                                  ______________________________________
3-17                                         President of the Senate
3-18                                       I hereby certify that the above
3-19                                  Resolution was adopted by the Senate
3-20                                  on April 4, 2001, by a rising vote.
3-21                                  ______________________________________
3-22                                         Secretary of the Senate
3-23                                  ______________________________________
3-24                                           Member, Texas Senate