PONDER, CHARLES A. - Charles Alexander Ponder of Fredericton, loving husband, father, grandfather, and designer of more than 200 bridges and other structures in the Maritimes, passed away with dignity and grace on Jan. 4 at the Chalmers Hospital. He was 81 years old. Charlie, as everyone called him, is survived by his beloved wife, Betty, and three children from his first marriage, to Margaret (Reid), Charles of Fredericton, Daphne (Michael Camp) of Fredericton, and Ann of Calgary, and grandchildren, Edward and Thomas Camp. Charlie was also much loved by his stepchildren, Linda Neilson (Tony Rhinelander) of Fredericton, and Jennifer Scott (Brian) of Amherstburg, Ont., and their children, Jason and Lila Rhinelander, and Leta and Michael Scott. Charlie delighted in spending time with his adult relatives and grandchildren, who spent many hours and days in the Ponder home. They loved his passion for life, his glorious sense of humour, his gift for words, and his endless supply of salty expressions. Most of all they loved Charlie’s spirit, his generosity, his wisdom, and the extraordinary range of his wonderful mind. Charlie was born in Montreal on July 31, 1930, to Arthur and Sarah (Cameron). He attended Lower Canada College and the University of New Brunswick, receiving a B.Sc. in Forestry in 1952. After working several seasons deep in the Quebec forest, he returned to university to earn a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering in 1956, winning the Ketchum medal for highest academic achievement in his class. He spent the following six years in the bridge department of the New Brunswick civil service before being recruited by a small Fredericton outfit called Associated Designers and Inspectors, later known as ADI Limited. Charlie designed bridges and other structures at ADI for the rest of his professional life, serving as a partner and director of the company as it prospered and grew into one of the leading design firms in the Atlantic region. Charlie’s remarkable legacy as a designer can be found in every corner of New Brunswick, from Upper Nepisiguit to Little Lepreau, and everywhere in between. When he was honoured with the Engineering Award of Merit in 1992, the citation noted that it would be difficult to travel any distance in this province without encountering a bridge designed by Charles Ponder. The gorge bridge in Grand Falls, the TCH bridge in Florenceville, the Westmoreland Bridge in Fredericton, and the Miscou Bridge on the Acadian Peninsula are just a few of the structures that came to life on Charlie’s design table at ADI. Always an innovator, Charlie was known in the industry for his ingenious designs in steel and his pioneering work with prestressed concrete. In 1996, he received the Kirby Award for Engineering Excellence. Throughout his career, Charlie generously shared his knowledge and experience with others in his profession. He presented papers in Canada and the United States on the latest bridge design technologies and even helped designers in Jamaica build safe, affordable bridges with appropriate materials and safe construction practices. Aside from his professional life, Charlie loved the outdoors. He had a passion for salmon fishing on the Miramichi River and duck hunting with his friends in the marshes around Maquapit Lake. Perhaps his greatest adventures were in the air with Betty, who shared his love of flying small airplanes, starting with a two-seater that needed a pull on the prop to start the engine. Later, Charlie and Betty flew their Cessna 172 across the United States, taking short hops from one remote landing strip to the next – an unforgettable journey that he talked about for years afterward. Each year, when the weather turned cold, Charlie and Betty spent much of their winter on the slopes of Crabbe Mountain and the rest, skiing the higher altitudes of Utah. Charlie loved the mountains, the deep snow, the bright sun, and the wide-open spaces above the tree line. Charles Ponder lived his life with energy and joy. He will be missed by all who knew him.
A memorial service will be held on January 15, 2012, at 2 p.m.at J. A. McAdam Memorial Chapel, with a reception to follow immediately after the service. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to a charity of the giver’s choice. On-line condolences may be made at www.mcadamsfh.com