PolarBear (Randy Bond) (1 Viewer)

[REVWARBUFF]

I was informed today that a dear friend of mine, Randy Bond (PolarBear), one of our long time forum members, passed away on November 7th, 2025. Randy loved this forum and posted here quite regularly (over 6,700 posts) up until around 2020 when he developed Lowey Body Dementia. Many of you may have seen his articles over the years as he was often employed by John Jenkins and Ken Osen to write for their respective company publications. Randy was an avid collector of military miniatures and accumulated quite an eclectic collection of figures.

For some of our new members who may not be familiar with Randy's past contributions to our forum I will post some of his dio's here as a tribute to him.

Thanks Randy for being such a great friend. You will be sorely missed. RIP

 

[REVWARBUFF]

Here's one of my favorite dio's that Randy did. It'll give you a taste of his sense of humor:

 

[Louis Badolato]

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of our old friend Randy. Please extend my condolences to his family. The world is a lesser place for his passing.

 

[REVWARBUFF]

Lastly, to show you how much of an impact Randy on those in our hobby, John Jenkins chose Randy (among others here on our forum like Mike Miller) to be one of his Collector's Club figures back in 2016 when JJD was issuing club figures. What an honor to be made into one these fine works of art that someone like John would decide to portray Randy as a club figure:

 

[Warrior]

I was informed today that a dear friend of mine, Randy Bond (PolarBear), one of our long time forum members, passed away on November 7th, 2025. Randy loved this forum and posted here quite regularly (over 6,700 posts) up until around 2020 when he developed Lowey Body Dementia. Many of you may have seen his articles over the years as he was often employed by John Jenkins and Ken Osen to write for their respective company publications. Randy was an avid collector of military miniatures and accumulated quite an eclectic collection of figures.

For some of our new members who may not be familiar with Randy's past contributions to our forum I will post some of his dio's here as a tribute to him.

Thanks Randy for being such a great friend. You will be sorely missed. RIP

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Well this sucks.

Met Randy at a local show a number of years ago, he had a great sense of humor, very sorry to hear of his passing, he's truly in a better place.

 

[mikemiller1955]

Awwwww...that is sad news...he was the best...a gentleman's gentleman...eager to help other collectors...a wealth of historical information...the master of the small diorama...loved our phone chats...he actually taught me how to take pictures of my collections...which was a huge improvement over what I did on my own...this hobby lost an asset...great pics you accumulated Mark...

 

[OzDigger]

A sad loss, I did hear he had been unwell for some time.

 

[villagehorse]

Agree very sad. I often think about him and how he helped me with my photos, in the early days, which I sent dozens over the years to him to downsize and return to me so I could post on this forum. Occasionally needed him to buy for me when the seller would not ship outside USA. Always enjoyed his glossy dioramas when he was a regular contributor. Certainly going to miss the thought that he is not around any longer. Robin.

 

[jazzeum]

When I heard that he was in hospice I knew it was only a matter of time. A keen scholar with a flair for history and knowledge who had eclectic tastes. Farewell Polar Bear!

 

[mestell]

Besides our shared hobby of toy soldiers, Randy and I also shared our appreciation of Diana Krall and her music. We used to chat on the phone on how much we enjoyed listening to her sing. Randy will certainly be missed.
Mike

 

[mestell]

Lastly, to show you how much of an impact Randy on those in our hobby, John Jenkins chose Randy (among others here on our forum like Mike Miller) to be one of his Collector's Club figures back in 2016 when JJD was issuing club figures. What an honor to be made into one these fine works of art that someone like John would decide to portray Randy as a club figure:

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I have this figure in my Wheels Across the Desert collection. Always a great looking figure. It means more now than ever before.
Mike

 

[joesgis]

RIP Randy Bond. We've lost another of the best of us. Prayers to his family and friends.

 

[Andanna]

I think there are only good things to say about Randy. He got me into the toy soldier photography and was always very generous with his advice and time.

 

[Go for Broke]

I think there are only good things to say about Randy. He got me into the toy soldier photography and was always very generous with his advice and time.

I started thinking about all the people that passed away since I joined the Forum some 20-years ago. Its a lot. Live large friends.

 

[Julie]

Hello Mark,

Thank you for your post about the passing of our dear friend Randy. I certainly thank you for your updates on his health issues over the past few years.

I have definitely missed Randy, and although not unexpected, this is still very sad news.

Please send my condolences to his family, and as I know you were a very good friend, my thoughts are also with you during this time.



When I first started jjDesigns, the Treefrog forum had become established as the place for collectors to go to discuss, share and keep up with developments in the toy soldier world.
I’d noticed that through the forum there were new ways that collectors could share their passion.

Collectors were finding new and interesting ways to photograph their collections, and post them on the forum.
It was a picture by Randall Bond, of Billy Bishop, posted on the Treefrog forum that caught my eye. Here was someone with a small collection, finding new ways to appreciate and share his hobby. It was the creative and thoughtful use of lighting, low camera angle, and the simplicity of the picture that I loved.


It was with great pleasure that I managed to convince Randy to work on a series of pictures for a 2010 calendar.
The calendar would focus on The Battle On Snowshoes series.
There would be 12 pictures, and each picture month by month would illustrate part of the story of this small battle, and all the figures released for the series would be included at least once.



In no time, 12 wonderful pictures were produced.
I will forever be grateful to Randy for his work on this calendar.
Many thanks, once again to Mr. Bond.



However my all time favourite picture from anyone, ever, was his portrait of Billy Bishop.



Missed with great sadness.



john jenkins

 

[29 Let's Go]

Wonderful photos. When I first joined, I remember how he could produce a wonderful moment with just a few figures. The ESPN diorama is one of my favorites.
Steve