Robert "Bob" Bona

Robert Edward “Bob” Bona, age 97, of Atchison, KS, passed on December 27, 2025, at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, MO. He was born on August 14, 1928, to Henry and Helen (Kristyniak) Bona in New Brighton, MN. He graduated from De La Salle High School in Minneapolis, MN, in 1946, and studied for two years in Pre-Pharmacy at the University of Minnesota.

Bob proudly served his country in the United States Air Force by entering the military life in 1949, serving in different roles of combat. He flew jet fighters during the Korean War, B-47 Bombers in the Strategic Air Command and C-97’s in the National Guard. He earned the prestigious Air Medal for flying combat missions in Korea. After his honorable discharge from active duty in 1956, he began as an airline pilot for TWA in Kansas City, MO, where he retired as a Captain in 1979, with more than 10,000 hours of flight time.

He loved anything and everything associated with astronomy and took his family on numerous trips to astronomy events. Bob also enjoyed camping trips to State and National Parks and always cherished his lakeside home in Park Rapids, MN.

He was married to Louise Wohletz on September 25, 1965, at St. Benedict’s Church in Atchison. Louise survives of their home. Additionally, he is survived by two daughters, Victoria (David S. Novacek) of Seattle, WA, and Matilda Laura (Michael O. Growney) of Spearfish, SD; two sons, Samuel R. (Lisa Anne) of San Diego, CA, and Max A. (Melodi Ann) of Lenexa, KS; ten grandchildren, Atom, Ivy, Owen, Finn, Jack, Kyle, Katelyn, Brianna, Madeline and Andrew; and three siblings, Ramona Logelin, Anthony Bona and Dan Bona.

 Bob is preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Hank, Jim and John Bona, Veronia Chock and Patricia Paull.

The Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home has been entrusted with cremation care for Mr. Bona. No services will be held at this time. He will be laid to rest next to his parents and siblings in the St. John the Baptist Cemetery in New Brighton, MN.