Obituary for Dolf L. Bonenberger
Dolf L. Bonenberger, 77, of Springville, NY, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on May 12, 2022, while enjoying a beautiful, warm spring day on the beloved property of his home.
Dolf was born in 1944 in Wheeling, West Virginia, to George and Idamae Bonenberger. He had three siblings, Sally, Greg and Tim. His family relocated to Hagerstown, MD, where Dolf graduated from North Hagerstown High School. Dolf was united in marriage to his wife of nearly 57 years, Delia Gunn Bonenberger, on November 19, 1965.
In 1967, Dolf graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Geography, and worked as a planner for the State of Virginia for 2 years. In 1969, his growing family moved to Western New York where Dolf was a planner for Cattaraugus County until the mid 1980’s. Afterwards, Dolf worked as a manager for the West Valley Demonstration Project until his retirement in 2002. Dolf and Delia raised three sons, Bradley, Kevin and Eric, and have enjoyed the growth of their respective families.
Dolf was an active retiree, spending time with family, friends and doing things that he loved outdoors. Dolf and his wife De traveled all over the United States to attend weddings, visit grandchildren, and share holidays and vacations with their sons and wives, grandchildren, and extended family. Dolf was an avid outdoorsman who loved nature, wildlife, and working his property during all seasons of the year. He enjoyed snowmobiling and ATV riding. Dolf was always checking to see if deer, turkey, eagles, or other wildlife could be discerned at home or in the fields. Dolf became a photographer, often snapping wildlife photos and the beauty of nature. He was an accomplished fisherman and taught his grandchildren and many other children to fish as they visited his pond. As a hunter, he enjoyed hunting adventures with friends and family in Canada and around the U.S.. These adventures were often memorialized with beautiful mounts he enjoyed in his home. A photo safari in the Serengeti of Africa was a highlight of his life.
Dolf was a member of the Springville First United Methodist Church, Springville Lions Club, and the Springville Field and Stream. He served on many projects for these organizations, always contributing his leadership, time and energy with a smile.
Dolf is sorely missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him. He was a generous and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle to a large extended family.
Dolf is survived by his wife, Delia (Gunn) Bonenberger of Springville, NY, and their three sons: Bradley of Euless, TX with his wife, Kristin and their children Luke, Rachel, and Noah Bonenberger and Lucas, Asher and Jacob Hoffman; Kevin of Salisbury, MD with his wife Dawn and their children Chelsea (Zak) and Nicole, and Eric of Orlando, FL with his wife Asra and their children Sunna and Aydin.
Surviving besides his wife, De, and sons, Bradley, Kevin and Eric and their families are his brother Tim (Connie) Bonenberger; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Adele and Don Gill, Tim and Tracy Gunn, Cecile and David Desmond, Cheryl Vincent, Stew and Alison Soper, and Stan and Pam Soper, along with many nieces and nephews and their families and numerous extended family members.
Dolf’s Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Springville First United Methodist Church, 474 E. Main St, Springville, NY on July 7, 2022 at 11:00 AM.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to Springville First United Methodist Church, 474 E. Main St, Springville, NY (www.s1umc.org); the Springville Field and Stream Club, PO Box 106, Springville, NY 14141 (www.facebook.com/SpringvilleFieldAndStreamInc); Green Springville Community Trout Pond Renovation Project, 138 Rauch Dr, Springville, NY 14141 (https://greenspringville.org/springville-trout-pond/).
Dolf was born in 1944 in Wheeling, West Virginia, to George and Idamae Bonenberger. He had three siblings, Sally, Greg and Tim. His family relocated to Hagerstown, MD, where Dolf graduated from North Hagerstown High School. Dolf was united in marriage to his wife of nearly 57 years, Delia Gunn Bonenberger, on November 19, 1965.
In 1967, Dolf graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Geography, and worked as a planner for the State of Virginia for 2 years. In 1969, his growing family moved to Western New York where Dolf was a planner for Cattaraugus County until the mid 1980’s. Afterwards, Dolf worked as a manager for the West Valley Demonstration Project until his retirement in 2002. Dolf and Delia raised three sons, Bradley, Kevin and Eric, and have enjoyed the growth of their respective families.
Dolf was an active retiree, spending time with family, friends and doing things that he loved outdoors. Dolf and his wife De traveled all over the United States to attend weddings, visit grandchildren, and share holidays and vacations with their sons and wives, grandchildren, and extended family. Dolf was an avid outdoorsman who loved nature, wildlife, and working his property during all seasons of the year. He enjoyed snowmobiling and ATV riding. Dolf was always checking to see if deer, turkey, eagles, or other wildlife could be discerned at home or in the fields. Dolf became a photographer, often snapping wildlife photos and the beauty of nature. He was an accomplished fisherman and taught his grandchildren and many other children to fish as they visited his pond. As a hunter, he enjoyed hunting adventures with friends and family in Canada and around the U.S.. These adventures were often memorialized with beautiful mounts he enjoyed in his home. A photo safari in the Serengeti of Africa was a highlight of his life.
Dolf was a member of the Springville First United Methodist Church, Springville Lions Club, and the Springville Field and Stream. He served on many projects for these organizations, always contributing his leadership, time and energy with a smile.
Dolf is sorely missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him. He was a generous and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle to a large extended family.
Dolf is survived by his wife, Delia (Gunn) Bonenberger of Springville, NY, and their three sons: Bradley of Euless, TX with his wife, Kristin and their children Luke, Rachel, and Noah Bonenberger and Lucas, Asher and Jacob Hoffman; Kevin of Salisbury, MD with his wife Dawn and their children Chelsea (Zak) and Nicole, and Eric of Orlando, FL with his wife Asra and their children Sunna and Aydin.
Surviving besides his wife, De, and sons, Bradley, Kevin and Eric and their families are his brother Tim (Connie) Bonenberger; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Adele and Don Gill, Tim and Tracy Gunn, Cecile and David Desmond, Cheryl Vincent, Stew and Alison Soper, and Stan and Pam Soper, along with many nieces and nephews and their families and numerous extended family members.
Dolf’s Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Springville First United Methodist Church, 474 E. Main St, Springville, NY on July 7, 2022 at 11:00 AM.
Expressions of sympathy may be made to Springville First United Methodist Church, 474 E. Main St, Springville, NY (www.s1umc.org); the Springville Field and Stream Club, PO Box 106, Springville, NY 14141 (www.facebook.com/SpringvilleFieldAndStreamInc); Green Springville Community Trout Pond Renovation Project, 138 Rauch Dr, Springville, NY 14141 (https://greenspringville.org/springville-trout-pond/).