Former Congressman Don Bonker, who represented Washington’s 3rd District from 1975-89 and authored key environmental, trade and international laws, died in Silverdale May 30, surrounded by loved ones.
Born on March 7, 1937, in Denver, CO, Bonker was 86 and is survived by his wife of 50 years, Carolyn, daughter Dawn, son Jon and five grandchildren.
“Dad made a lasting impact through his work but his love and dedication to our family was even more extraordinary,” Jon Bonker said on behalf of the family. “He took more pride in the titles ‘Hubby,’ ‘Dad,’ and ‘Papa’ than ‘Congressman.’ He was the rock of our family, our protector, greatest advocate and best friend. We’re devastated by his loss, but we’re grieving with hope because he belonged to Jesus, and we know we’ll see him again.”
Bonker was a U.S. Coast Guard veteran who began his career in local public service, inspired by President John F. Kennedy. He served two terms as Clark County auditor before being elected to the U. S. House in 1974. Representing a sprawling district heavily dependent on timber and fishing, Bonker worked with environmental groups, industry, ports and labor to hammer out policies that would preserve and advance jobs and economic diversification while also protecting the natural environment for future generations.
Among his many environmental accomplishments are: the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (working closely with Sen. Dan Evans and other members of the Washington and Oregon delegations), the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge, the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, the expansion of the Olympic National Park to include Point of Arches and Shi Shi Beach, preservation of the old growth in Willapa Bay, and the addition of numerous pristine locations to Washington’s federally protected wilderness areas.
Bonker chaired the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade. He also chaired the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations, and his commitment to global affairs and human rights earned him respect, domestically and abroad. Even on divisive national issues, Bonker found common ground. His work on school prayer ensured free speech and free exercise of religion, along with separation of church and state on the other side. The Equal Access Act of 1984, which Bonker authored, remains the law of the land to this day.
Even after leaving Congress in 1989, Bonker continued to make an impact, working on issues like human rights and campaign finance reform. In 2020, Bonker released “A Higher Calling,” a memoir on his public service, faith and the importance of “moral leadership and decency.” He also contributed opinions to the Kitsap News Group newspapers.
“There will never be another Don Bonker,” said longtime friend Ron Dotzauer, CEO of Strategies 360. “His career reflected his life and an extension of his values for cooperation, public service, and commitment to building a better world for all of us.”
