I took several history courses with Dr. Bohnstedt, including European Cultural History, which started me on a lifelong interest in this subject. What a great teacher he was, weaving in personal stories along with the usual history. Interpreting information, not just regurgitating it, was his strong suit. Among his many traits, the sense of humor was foremost and yet he kept it hidden a lot. What I will never forget, and recall in great detail from every class I took with him, the weekly quiz process: he would collect all the quizzes, redistribute to the class so that each person would grade someone else's quiz, and then re-collect them at the front table. He would quite visibly and purposefully reshuffle the pile to put all the 100% and similar top scoring persons in the top of the stack. He would then read off the top of the stack, "I will read some scores in no particular order" to make a point about how good the class was, and how much folks were learning. When the stack was getting into scores below 90% or so, he would say, "some are lower than that, but I like to accentuate the positive so I won't go into that." It was a weekly repeated joke that never got old. Thank you Dr Bohnstedt, for your style and substance, bold intellect, and sense of humor.

Dr. John Bohnstedt was my best & favorite Professor when I was working on my B.A. in History at Fresno State. (FSU '92). 
   His insight, wisdom & humor remain with me to this day.

I know this is terribly late; I am not best at doing research of Fresno obituaries. Dr. Bohnstedt was, without a doubt, my favorite teacher ever. I took classes from him for my bachelors degree in history as well as my masters degree in the same. No other professor had such an impact on my life.  He was generous with all of his students, and he and I spent many hours just speaking with each other. I remember that after graduating with my masters he called me into his office when he saw me in the hall to show me that he knew more about using an Apple Macintosh computer than I did; when I began there he was still using an old typewriter. He was precious to me and I will miss him forever. I’m so sorry for your loss, Kathy McGowan.

What a terrific man and stellar professor. I just learned of his passing while doing some online research, sorry for the late condolences. Dr. Bohnstedt was one of the best, I attended in the mid 70's at Fresno State. My favorite memory is his sense of humor. Whenever he would be lecturing and the Air Guard planes would fly overhead he would say "And now we pause for Western Civilization". I loved that.  His historical knowledge and lectures were so well done.  So funny and so knowledgeable. Heaven is enriched and we are the lesser for his passing. Rest in Peace. 

I am so very sorry that I only now learned of Dr. Bohnstedt's passing.  Dr. Bohnstedt was absolutely one of my all-time favorite professors.  His teaching, insight and guidance shaped my education in so many important ways.  He set a stellar example through his academic excellence and through his humanity.  I took every course Dr. Bohnstedt offered.  He encouraged me to develop my interest in European 19th-century history, which became my field of study.  His sense of humor and wit were unique.  I always looked forward to his class and our discussion.  Thank you, Dr. Bohnstedt.   You are missed.

I took a summer school class on the Middle East covering the years in and around 1000 AD from Professor Bohnstedt in 1963.   I have never forgotten it and what I learned contrasted with so much that is currently happening in this part of the world.  I remember few of my college professors names and although I did not attend Fresno State, I will always remember Professor Bohnstedt.  Great teachers are like elite athletes-they just have those extra special qualities that elevate the learning experience and leave one with insights that might not happen with other teachers.

John G. Goode
Stanford BA 1966
Stanford MBA 1968 

I was a student of Dr. Bohnstedt in 2001; I took 19th century European History.  His command of the historical material was exceptional. I loved the many unique details of stories he knew an the top of his head. I also appreciated his inclusion of details from his personal life, especially his story about researching for his PhD in a cold library in Austria. I still remember the look that he had on his face when he shared with the class how bothered he was with the lack of heat in that Austrian library. I guess it makes sense because later I would see him walking in my neighborhood in 100 degree heat in the summer, and it looked liked he enjoyed it.  Lastly, I appreciated the group work that he provided for us. One of the only history professors who allowed us to move our desks and chairs to make small groups to discuss the historical material. You are missed Dr. Bohnstedt. 

I grew up in Fowler and spent 6 years at Stanford.  In the summer of 1963 I took a course on Muslim History from professor Bohnstedt at Fresno State.  I always remembered the course because it focused on the period 950 A.D. to 1150 A.D. and the Muslim world had more in common with Renaissance Europe than what is in place today.  I am a member of the Bohemian Club and a camp captain of Green Mask Camp.  This year my guest was Abdullah II, King of Jordan and the background supplied by Professor Bohnstedt many years earlier played a role in getting His Majesty to the Bohemian Grove where he wowed everyone with his message.

Sorry for being a few years late with this.  
John G. Goode

OBITUARY

John W. Bohnstedt

February 22, 1927 – February 25, 2015

Stephens and Bean Funeral Chapel

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services