Cloudy, 61° F
Bob Bonner, 86, of Northfield, Minnesota, died on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at his home.
Robert Elliott Bonner was born June 6, 1938, in Covina, California, to John and Nancy (Milliken) Bonner. Soon after, the family moved to Wyoming. He graduated from Powell High School in 1955 and enrolled at Stanford University, but soon realized he didn't know what he wanted to do when he grew up, so he joined the Army instead.
After two years stateside and an honorable discharge, he enrolled at the University of Wyoming as an English literature major. But the history professors caught his attention, and Bob's love for the study of history was kindled.
That wasn't the only spark that got struck: The fiery coed Barbara O'Connor caught his eye. When she graduated in 1961 and headed to Black Hills Teacher College, Bob blew three tires getting himself to graduate school in an ultimately successful attempt to impress her. They married on March 17, 1962.
Bob went on to finish his advanced degrees in European and English history at the University of Oregon and London University respectively. He took up teaching at the University of Minnesota and, for the balance of his career, at Carleton College in Northfield.
At Carleton from 1967-2001, he served as Dean of Students (1992-1995), coached the men's tennis team and introduced the field of American Environmental History to the curriculum. His book "William F. Cody's Wyoming Empire" was published in 2007 to acclaim; soon after, he was awarded an honorary degree (Doctor of Letters, honors causa) from the University of Wyoming. Apart from his steady scholarship, Bob was founding director of the Friends of the Northfield Public Library and longstanding member of the Northfield Golf Club, the Western History Association, the Wyoming State Historical Society, the Minnesota Arc, The Nature Conservancy and the Natural Resources Defense Council. What's more, Bob knew how to ride a horse, drink decent whiskey and was, by all accounts, a good shot.
With Beryl Churchill, he co-authored the 2009 centennial history of Powell, "Home in the Valley."
Bob and Barbara's daughter, Jennifer, passed away during heart transplant surgery in 1988 the summer after graduating from Carleton. Their son, Timothy, died in 2019 after living his adult life at the Laura Baker Services Association residence in Northfield, where Bob served on the board of trustees for more than 25 years, doing what he considered the most important labor of his life. In 2005, the couple was honored with the Service to Mankind award of Sertoma.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years; his brothers Dave (Sue) of Powell and James (Julianne) of Albuquerque, New Mexico; sister Barbara (James) Luther of Aztec, New Mexico; cherished nieces and nephews; and so many friends and fans. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Anne and his two children. The family will always be grateful for the loving work of in-home caregivers and hospice staff.
A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Northfield, Minnesota.
