Roger Wendel Boneham

Our beloved Husband, Father, Father-in-Law, Grandfather, and Great-Grandfather, Roger Wendel Boneham, passed away peacefully at home in Bellevue, WA, with his wife by his side on March 28, 2025. All will dearly miss him. He is survived by his wife, Ruth, of 73 years, five children: Roger C. Boneham (Janet), Deborah R. Nicklett (Gary), Linda B. Hagedorn (Tom), David W. Boneham (Diane), and Janice K. Urban (Jim), 10 Grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his cherished son, Robert W. Boneham, his brother, Roy, and his parents.

Roger was born in Oak Park, IL, on November 16th, 1932. He graduated from Marinette High School in 1950 and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1955 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked at Caterpillar in Peoria, IL, for five years, followed by a 34-year career at Boeing Co. in the Seattle area. In his early career, he also served in the Army Reserve from 1955 to 1965, achieving the rank of Captain (1962) in the 498th Engineering Company.

His Boeing career was distinguished as a Packaging and Material-Handling Engineer. He started in the Everett facility when there were only trailers. He helped develop the plans for material handling for the biggest covered building in the world. A highlight was developing an outdoor railroad car turnaround system, one of the first ever. He worked on the 727 and 747. Additionally, he handled the packaging and shipping for the first Lunar Rover and the Minuteman missile systems.

Roger enjoyed his children and grandchildren so very much. Roger’s lap was rarely empty at family gatherings, as his children and grandchildren would wait patiently for the opportunity to sit in his lap and share stories.

Additionally, Roger had many interests and hobbies, including being a Boy Scout leader, supporting his three sons to achieve Eagle Scout status, hunting and salmon-fishing with his family, participating in a bowling league, attending children’s sporting events and concerts, watching the Badgers, Seahawks and Packers play football, participating in church choirs with his beautiful baritone voice, coin and stamp-collecting, road trips, camping adventures with family, cruises, European vacations and creating beautiful wood furniture in his shop. He was also handy in the kitchen, making pancakes and cinnamon rolls for his children and grandchildren, and baking bread. Roger owned his own business, Boneham and Dad, where he primarily sold firearms and related equipment, and enjoyed visiting with his customers. He had a very full and rewarding life!

Roger’s burial was held with close family on Thursday, April 10th.

Roger’s Memorial Service will also be held on Monday, April 21st, at 1 p.m. at Sunset Hills Memorial Park and Funeral Home, with a reception to follow. If you would like, donations in honor of Roger can be made to Bellevue Presbyterian Church or the Boy Scouts of America. Please feel free to share condolences on Roger’s website at (20+) Facebook.