C. Paul Bonham

Paul Bonham, a 48 year resident of Redondo Beach, passed away on Wednesday, December 21, 2005 in Torrance. Born in Los Angeles, CA, Paul was 90 when he died. Paul was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, attending the Redondo First Ward in Torrance Stake. He designed and built the house he lived in Redondo Beach and was a master carpenter as well as a renowned aircraft engineer and manager for Northrop Aircraft for 35 years. He started his career at Northrop in the blueprint room, but learned quickly and was soon a lead engineer. His many accomplishments included working with Jack Northrop on the Flying Wing, the design of which was destined to evolve into the B2 Stealth Bomber. He also lead design groups for many aircraft essential to the government during WWII and collaborated with Boeing on the 747 commercial aircraft, heading up design for a large portion of the fuselage. Paul realized his dream of becoming a pilot in 1947 and took his family and friends for many flights in a small aircraft he co-owned with a friend before deciding the risk was too great for his young family. He enjoyed making and flying radio-controlled model airplanes. He also had a woodworking shop in his basement where he spent hours building furniture and wooden toys for his grandchildren. At the age of 80, he became proficient at the Mac computer and enjoyed scanning and printing pictures and conversing with family via Email, even after suffering a stroke in 1999, which took his ability to speak. Paul was married to his beloved Reta for nearly 49 years when she passed away in 1987. To the end, he remained a faithful father, grandfather and member of his Church, beloved by his family and friends.

He is survived by his son, Bob Bonham, and daughter-in-law Mary of Highland, UT, his daughter, Susan Wyatt, and son-in-law Theron of Whittier, CA, daughter-in-law Chris Bonham, 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents, Hermon Isaac and Anna Bonham, wife Reta, son Richard, who died as a child, and son Gary Bonham, who passed away in 2003. A memorial service will be held at the LDS Church at 22605 Kent Ave, Torrance, on Monday, December 26, 2005 at 1:00 P.M. A graveside service will be held at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 at 11:00 A.M