First Lieutenant Robert Marchel "Spike" Ponder, (1919-2001) was born on August 24, 1919 to Julius James Ponder and Mae Florence Ponder in Junction City, Arkansas.  Bob attended El Dorado High School in El Dorado, Arkansas and graduated in May 1937.  From 1937 until he entered the armed forces in 1943, he was employed as a laboratory technician by MacMillan Petroleum Corporation in Norphlet, Arkansas.  As a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps, he attended service schools and graduated as a navigator in January, 1945.

From May, 1945 until October, 1946 he served as a navigator in the 2nd Emergency Rescue Squadron of the 13th Air Force on Air-Sea Rescue missions in the Pacific Theater.   During the war he was awarded the Air Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 6 Bronze Service Stars, American Theater Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, and the Philippine Independence Ribbon.

After the war, in January, 1947 he entered the Wisconsin Institute of Technology in Platteville, WI. In January, 1949 he transferred to the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy in Rolla, Missouri.  He received a B.S. degree in Mining Engineering - Petroleum Option in May, 1950 and received a Masters degree in the same subject in May, 1952.  Spent the next 41 years from 1952 - 1993 working in the petroleum industry holding positions ranging from Process engineer to Refinery Manager and Manager of Refining and Transportation, Mid-Continent Area.  Over those years worked for Clark Oil, Murphy Oil and Champlin Petroleum Corporation.  Lived in Crestwood and Harvey, Illinois; Superior, Wisconsin; Enid, Oklahoma; Fort Worth, Texas and Tulsa Oklahoma during those years.  Married Betty Jean Schoenman (B.J.) on Feb. 11, 1950 in Bentonville, Arkansas.  Had 9 children, 3 boys and 6 girls (one set of twins).  Loved his wife and kids very much and enjoyed playing golf, fishing and the children's activities throughout the years.  The family picture albums alternate pictures of the kids and pictures of fish!  He built the family home in Crestwood, IL and designed and built various family projects over the years.

Professional Affiliations: 
Member of American Petroleum Institute
National Petroleum Refiners Association
Board of Directors of Oklahoma - Kansas Oil and Gas Association
Oklahoma Petroleum Council
Oklahoma Society of Professional Engineers
National Society of Professional Engineers
Registered Professional Engineer in states of WI, IL, and MO;
Board of Directors Superior Water, Light, and Power - Superior, WI.

Civic Affiliations: 
Rotary Club
Junior Achievement
Board of Boy Scouts of America, Superior WI

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