Rick Bonn

Rick Bonn

Newbury Park, CA - Rick Bonn (Richard Wayne Bonn), age 52 of Newbury Park, CA graduated to heaven on March 19, 2020. He leaves behind his wife of 25 years, Shanda Gibson Bonn, and children Fiona, Jacob and Joseph Bonn. He also leaves parents, Richard L. and Dolores Bonn, one sister, Julie Bonn Blank and family, and one brother, Jason Bonn and family. Although we know heaven has gained a star and that it was the most joyful day of Rick's life, many of us here will miss him deeply.

Rick had a passion for movies and bringing the love of Jesus to others through movies, both secular and spiritual. He worked in creative development in Hollywood for over 20 years. He worked with Wind Dancer Films, Nickelodeon, Providence Entertainment, Keystone Films, PorchLight Entertainment, and most recently, Pure Flix Entertainment, where he developed "The Case for Christ," the project he was most proud of. One of the many highlights of his Hollywood career was the opportunity to consult on the 2018 film "Buttons: a Christmas Tale" with one of his childhood heroes, Dick Van Dyke. He was also a talented teacher, speaker, writer, actor and singer.

Rick graduated from South Kitsap High School (Port Orchard, WA) in 1986 and from Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL) in 1991. He also pursued writing studies at UCLA and theology and film studies at Multnomah University and Fuller Theological Seminary. He loved his family, Cannon Beach, Disneyland, comic books and musical theatre. And he was captivated by the miraculous, the mysterious, and the unusual, from the lives of saints to aliens to Sasquatch and the Loch Ness Monster.

Rick impacted more lives than he realized. The words and tributes coming in from around the world are heart-felt and beautiful. His impact on all was significant, and lasting. He was a deep thinker who penned these words several months ago. "I think the sad thing about death I'm starting to realize in middle-age is that there's no replacing those who pass on. Yes, circle of life. Yes, afterlife. Yes, memories live on. Yes, next generation up. All that. But the people and family you've come to love in your life--there is no one specifically and particularly like them--and when they're gone, there is no one who CAN replace them. So you miss them. There's an absence in your life, a void. Because they were unique. They were special. Good and bad. We all are. Guess that's why we'd better spend as much time loving our people and ourselves NOW."

Two Celebrations of Life will take place in the summer, one in Portland, Oregon and one in Southern California. Dates are to be determined. To receive information on the Celebrations of Life and ways to assist the Rick Bonn family, please visit https://www.juliebonnblank.com/rick-bonn-in-memory-richard-w-bonn/