Dixon Bond, former Ordway president, dies

Longtime arts administrator Dixon Bond, who three decades ago helped turn around the Ordway in St. Paul, died at his home in Northfield on June 30. He was 77.

A native of South Minneapolis, Bond studied at Carleton College, where he founded the all-men singing group the Knights.

A career in marketing and fundraising led him to work in time for his alma mater, as well as the Northfield Arts Guild, the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts (the parent organization of the Minneapolis Institute of Art) and the Children's Theater Company.

When the Ordway Music Theatre (now the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts) was dangerously over budget on its building project in 1982, Bond was brought in to fix things.

His career had become "taking over projects and making them happen," Bond recalled in a 2006 interview with Northfield News.

Following completion of the $45 million theater, Bond served as the Ordway's president until his resignation in 1989. He later worked as an independent consultant and Northfield City Council member.

Funeral Services will be 11 Monday at the First United Church of Christ in Northfield.

Political Coverage Powered by You

Your gift today creates a more connected Minnesota. MPR News is your trusted resource for election coverage, reporting and breaking news. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.