He graduated from South Bend's former Washington-Clay High School, and served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
In 1946, Pond joined his father, who at the time was building two-wheel lawn tractors (which the operator would walk behind) from angle iron, surplus motorcycle and automotive parts in his garage.
In the late 1940s, veterans returning from World War II began moving to the vast new suburbs then transforming the American landscape.
Their homes had larger lots that demanded more attention and the Ponds' riding mower found many ready buyers as a result.
Skystream, which was formed in September 1973, when it acquired routes once flown by Hub Airlines, Inc., served northern Indiana, Illinois and Michigan.