“I knew I wanted to marry Dennis when I was eleven,” Bonnie would often say. Growing up as neighbors in Chicago, Dennis was best friends with Bonnie’s brother, Daniel. Dennis, Bonnie, and Daniel would cut school to go to Cubs games, and Bonnie carried her “Die Hard Cubs Fan” membership card in her wallet since 1955.
Bonnie and Dennis were engaged in 1964, at the ages of 18 and 20. As an engagement gift to Dennis, Bonnie snuck into an aviation junkyard and pried a 72″ wooden propellor from an airplane. The propellor was their only possession to survive hurricane Andrew, and continued to be displayed in their home throughout their lives. As young, independent newlyweds, they couldn’t afford to both be in school at the same time, so Bonnie worked to support Dennis through school. He graduated from University of Illinois with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and later received his Masters Degree in the same from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute before his NASA fellowship. It was then Bonnie’s turn to finish school, and she graduated from Florida International University with a degree in Biochemistry.
While finishing her degree, Bonnie came up with an idea to start a business and pitched the idea to Dennis. They worked together to build Maxwell Rand, a Medical Software Programming company which was later bought by a division of Johnson & Johnson.
Although Dennis and Bonnie were successful entrepreneurs, they had found their true passion in sailing. They purchased a live-aboard sailboat in Lake Michigan, sold their business, and sailed that boat down the Mississippi to the Gulf, where they set sail to explore the world. They crossed the Atlantic, anchoring all over the Mediterranean (including France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Israel, and many others), and crossed back again to explore South America and the Caribbean (Venezuela, Columbia, Panama, Virgin Islands, Bahamas, and many others). In all, they spent over 30 years living on a sailboat, adventuring, and exploring the world, proudly proclaiming themselves as “Sailboat Trash”.
Upon their return to land (Land Lubbers!), their passion for adventure led them to flying. Dennis had completed his first solo flight in 1960 at the age of 16, and they began their re-entry into aviation with their Mooney. Just before their 50th anniversary, Dennis asked Bonnie what she would like to do to celebrate. She wanted them to build their own airplane! And so began the journey of building their RV12 – their 50th wedding anniversary gift to each other. Dennis would often joke that “she doesn’t want much, but what she does want are doozies!”
Both Dennis and Bonnie loved sharing their passion and enthusiasm for aviation, and as Lifetime EAA members they mentored many Young Eagles, student pilots, and engineering students. Their greatest wish was to “leave a clean wake” – a phrase they held dear from their years at sea, meaning to make the world a better place. The impact of their lives on everyone who knew them is beyond measure, and there are no adequate words to describe how deeply they will both be missed.
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Jack Silveria
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Fly away finally …
Raffael Boccamazzo
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During the time Becka and I were dating, Bonnie and Dennis were the first family members of anyone I dated who treated me like part of the family. Even a decade after we broke up, Bonnie and Dennis remain the template for how I wanted to be treated by in-laws by any significant other: with acceptance and respect. I was so sorry to hear of their loss.
Eileene Brady
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Bonnie and I were room mates on a weekend cruise with the Creekettes. We met a Rabbi and one of his flock during our lifeboat drill. She had them laughing in minutes. When we were dancing at one of the open areas they happened to walk by and she dragged them onto the dance floor. When I talked to them later they said that was the best part of their cruise. Everytime I turned around she had made a new friend. After the cruise we greeted each other with "Hi roomie".
Nancy and Art Taxman
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Bonnie and Dennis were our next door neighbors. Bonnie always ran outside to greet us when we returned from our trips to Miami. We very much enjoyed spending time with the two of them, flying to breakfast with the gaggle, or going to dinner. We loved exchanging travel stories with them. They were highly intelligent in so many areas. Both Dennis and Bonnie had great sense of humor. Bonnie loved music from coffee house music like Ian and Sylvia sang, to the Daytona Symphony. She especially loved opera, as well.
We certainly miss our friends.
Nancy and Art Taxman
Rick and Brenda Weiss
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"W" Nothing we can say will fill the void left in our hearts by them going West so soon! We also say goodbye to two of the greatest fans the Cubs have ever had. I can hear them now – GO CUBS! Someday we’ll see you in the bleachers. "W"
Judy Nordvoll
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They were strong, brilliant , and unique. They made my life better for knowing them.
Judy Nordvoll
Ron and Laura Gilkes
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To my wingmen Bonnie and Dennis fly on to eternity.
Ron and Laura Gilkes
Jennifer Guglielmucci
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I was fortunate enough to meet Bonnie and Dennis through Becky, one of the most beautiful and amazing human beings I have ever known. The instant I met them I was in awe, inspired by and infected with their lust for life. I could feel how fiercely they loved Becky, and I will be forever grateful to them for helping shape one of my best friends in the universe. Their incredible legacy will live on forever, through the endless incredible stories of their adventures, and most especially through their daughter Becky, and every single one of us lucky enough to have met them. I am also grateful that they are still together now and embarking on their greatest adventure yet. They truly lived, were truly loved and will be deeply missed.
Sal & Joni DeVincenzo
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Dennis and Bonny you two were family to us, and wingman to me. WE MISS YOU GUYS
Sal and Joni DeVincenzo