November 23, 2012
Robert Warren (Bob) Bonnell passed away at Grays Harbor Community Hospital on Friday morning, November 23, 2012. He was 72.
A lifelong hunter, Bob went on his last trip in mid-November and fell ill with pneumonia, from which he never recovered.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Royann; three children, Patty Bonnell Hasko, Bob Bonnell and Dan Bonnell; and a stepdaughter, Kristi Spargo. Dean Fulkerson, his stepson, passed away in 2000. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Dane Bonnell, Clayton Paschke, Justin and Lindsy Spargo, and Darion Greenwood and Anthony Senn.
Bob was a larger than life character, often called “Buffalo Bob Bonnell” by those who knew him. A logger, and avid hunter and fisherman, Bob was happiest in nature and spent every chance he could driving logging roads, hunting with family and friends, or just walking outdoors. He was a gambler and an entrepreneur, and founded his own logging company, Bonnell & Sons Logging, in 1974 and a second company, Buffalo Timber, which he operated for over 30 years.
He was a life member of the Elks, Safari Club International and the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep. He was a member of the Eagles and the Footprinters Association, and belonged to the NRA his entire adult life. He often donated logs for Loggers’ Playday, and he gave to darned near every charitable event you can imagine. When it snowed or was icy, he was known to fire up his Suburban or Hummer and cruise the roads looking for unfortunate folks who “might need a tow.” He never forgot a frozen winter day he spent in Iowa with his car in a ditch, and wanted to spare other folks that particular misery.
He and wife Royann have split their time between Aberdeen and Scottsdale, Arizona for the past several years, but he would never truly leave Grays Harbor. He loved it here, and will be buried at Fern Hill Cemetery, on the very patch of land that he himself logged in the early 80s.
Visitation will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 30, 2012, in the chapel at Harrison Family Mortuary located at 311 W. Market St. in Aberdeen.
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at the Aberdeen Elks Club at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 2nd.
To sign the online book of memories or to light a memorial candle please visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary of Aberdeen.
