Robert Wayne Bonnes

Celebration of Life will be at 11:00am, Saturday, October 11, 2025, at Dugan Kramer Funeral Chapel, 3201 Ave B, Scottsbluff, NE, 69361. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Emerald Court in Scottsbluff. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.dugankramer.com for the Bonnes family.

Robert was born in Wessington, South Dakota, on May 3, 1936, to Emil and Marie Bonnes. He grew up in Huron, SD, until he was 16 then they moved to Boulder, CO, for a few years until Robert started his military career in the Air Force. He started in Texas for 3 years and then Japan for two years. In 1957, he met the love of his life, Eleanor Batt, and they were married in 1958, and moved back to Texas. A few years later they moved to Naples, Italy, where their two daughters were born, Sandra and Patricia.

Robert was in the Air Force for 13 years of active duty in Texas, Japan, Italy, Washington D.C, Iowa, and Arizona, and Wyoming. He finished his career in the National Guard with the rank of Warrant Officer II, with 24 years total of military life which was in his heart forever.

He then started his civilian life working for Diebold Inc for 30 years and then retired to enjoy some traveling for a few years. Robert and Eleanor moved to Scottsbluff in 1969 for his job with Diebold.

Bob loved Country Music. That's what got him playing music with all the country bands in the valley. If it was Friday or Saturday night, a band was playing music somewhere. His other passion was dancing. Bob and Eleanor loved to dance every chance they got, and we hope he is dancing now.

Whatever he did, it had to be perfect, like the house he built with his family. He was the boss, but they all got together and made it work.

He is preceded by his parents, brothers Randy and Emil Jr, sister Terry.

He survives his loving wife, Eleanor; daughters Sandra (Steve) Leever and Patricia (Kevin) Thompson; brother Stan; sister in law Margie; four granddaughters; one grandson; three great granddaughters; eight great grandsons.

He loved to have them all together and he had a ball!