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