H. George Bonekemper

Dr. H. George Bonekemper III, 82, retired Superintendent of Upper Perkiomen School District, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, March 10, 2025 at The Community at Rockhill. He was the widower of the late L. Anne (Wampole) Bonekemper with whom he shared 47 years of marriage.

He was born in Lansdale to the late Harold George Jr. and Eva Pearl (Bomboy) Bonekemper. George was a 1960 graduate of North Penn High School. He earned a B.S. in Political Science from Ursinus College in 1964, a M.S. in Elementary Education in 1965 and Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction in 1974 at Lehigh University.

Dr. Bonekemper began his career in education at North Penn School District's Inglewood Elementary School from 1965-1968. He then began his tenure at Upper Perkiomen School District teaching middle school from 1968-1973. He was the Assistant Principal and Principal at the middle school from 1973-1980 and retired as Superintendent in 1997. He was also the Coordinator of Professional Development at Muhlenburg College from 1998-2010.

George was an active member of the Upper Perkiomen Valley. He was a member of the Upper Perkiomen Jaycees, Rotary and Lions Clubs. A board member of Open Line, Upper Hanover Industrial Development Authority, Upper Perkiomen and Pottstown United Way, Upper Perkiomen School District and Church Council of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church.

He was a charter member of the Upper Perkiomen Library, Upper Perkiomen Life Long Learning, Upper Perkiomen YMCA, Upper Perkiomen Child Care Center, Quakertown Amateur Baseball Assoc., Pennsylvania Middle School Association and National Association for Professional Development Schools.

Dr. Bonekemper earned recognition as an Outstanding Young Educator by the Upper Perkiomen Jaycees, Tri-County Baseball Hall of Fame, Teacher Education Award (Kutztown University), Community Service Award (Upper Perkiomen YMCA), Kappan of the Year (Lehigh University) and namesake of the UPHS Baseball Field.

He is survived by his companion, Joanne L. Hersh, his children: Wendy E. Hasara and husband Michael, of Douglassville and Andrew W. Bonekemper and wife Carrie, of Collegeville; brother, Richard Bonekemper widower of Deirdra, of Luray, VA; sister, Lonna Donaher and husband Edward, of Lansdale; grandchildren: Zachary and Jacob Hasara; Grant and Ryan Bonekemper and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his twin brother, Dr. Thomas Bonekemper, late husband of Janet, of Sellersville.

Visitations will be held at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1244 St. Paul's Church Rd., Pennsburg, PA 18073 on Friday, March 14, 2025 from 6-8 PM and on Saturday from 9-10:30 AM. Services will follow at 11:00 AM with Rev. Kevin Compton officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Upper Perkiomen Education Assoc., 2229 East Buck Rd., Pennsburg, PA 18073 (upperperkfoundation.org), St. Paul's Lutheran Church, PO Box 47, Red Hill, PA 18076 or Quakertown Amateur Baseball, c/o Chris Ray, 1679 Farmington Ave., Pottstown, PA 19464. Online condolences may be offered at www.mannslonakerfuneralhome.com