Robert W. PON died on August 21, 2016, at the age of 92. He was a resident of Dorchester, NH, at the time of his death.
Robert retired from NYPL on December 12, 1981, after a 30 year career as an illustrator. A native of Cleveland, OH, Robert served as a medic in the US Army during World War II. He was stationed in Germany and received the Bronze Star for his service.
After his retirement, Robert continued his artistic endeavors. He was the creator of many sculptures, paintings, and drawings. Robert is survived by his wife, Katharine Scanlon-Pon, his son Michael Pon, and his extended family.
David Beasley: From the recent list of deaths in the Retirees Newsletter I recognized Robert Pon. He was a tall, well-built man of mild disposition with noticeable pale blue eyes. He worked in the Picture Collection which was in a room in the basement of the Research Libraries which one passed on the way to the cafeteria. I came to know him just after the union was recognized. He had transferred to the design group in the Lincoln Centre Library but apparently did not fit in with the clique working there and was returned to the Picture Collection. He wanted to grieve this action which seemed unjustified. We had no contract and thus no grievance procedure. I tried to reason with John Cory, the Assistant-Director, that he should hear Pon’s side of the story but to no avail. When negotiations began, I asked Pon to attend one session and had him sit across the table from Cory. He stared at Cory accusingly but this did not stir Cory’s conscience. Robert drew a portrait of John Cory for our Newsletter; it was not complementary. It took months of bargaining before we had a contract. By then Robert realized he was better off in the Picture Collection. About this time he married Katherine Scanlon who was a secretary in one of the Library offices. I used to stop to chat with him when passing the Picture Collection and knew of his artistic talent which could have been better employed at Lincoln Centre. He read my writings—the Richardson biography and the Clay Spohn article which he commented upon. His interest demonstrated an intellectual curiosity that made him rather special in my eyes.
See New York Public Library Retirees Newsletter, Issue 38, page 12.
Robert retired from NYPL on December 12, 1981, after a 30 year career as an illustrator. A native of Cleveland, OH, Robert served as a medic in the US Army during World War II. He was stationed in Germany and received the Bronze Star for his service.
After his retirement, Robert continued his artistic endeavors. He was the creator of many sculptures, paintings, and drawings. Robert is survived by his wife, Katharine Scanlon-Pon, his son Michael Pon, and his extended family.
David Beasley: From the recent list of deaths in the Retirees Newsletter I recognized Robert Pon. He was a tall, well-built man of mild disposition with noticeable pale blue eyes. He worked in the Picture Collection which was in a room in the basement of the Research Libraries which one passed on the way to the cafeteria. I came to know him just after the union was recognized. He had transferred to the design group in the Lincoln Centre Library but apparently did not fit in with the clique working there and was returned to the Picture Collection. He wanted to grieve this action which seemed unjustified. We had no contract and thus no grievance procedure. I tried to reason with John Cory, the Assistant-Director, that he should hear Pon’s side of the story but to no avail. When negotiations began, I asked Pon to attend one session and had him sit across the table from Cory. He stared at Cory accusingly but this did not stir Cory’s conscience. Robert drew a portrait of John Cory for our Newsletter; it was not complementary. It took months of bargaining before we had a contract. By then Robert realized he was better off in the Picture Collection. About this time he married Katherine Scanlon who was a secretary in one of the Library offices. I used to stop to chat with him when passing the Picture Collection and knew of his artistic talent which could have been better employed at Lincoln Centre. He read my writings—the Richardson biography and the Clay Spohn article which he commented upon. His interest demonstrated an intellectual curiosity that made him rather special in my eyes.
See New York Public Library Retirees Newsletter, Issue 38, page 12.