Professor Emeritus Daniel (Don) Bonar: 1938-2023
Don Bonar’s remarkable 50-year career as a mathematics and computer science professor at Denison is a testimony to his dedication to his students. Don delighted in working with college students and once said, “My goal is to open up the wonderful world of mathematics and learning in general. And it’s icing on the cake to witness the growth, in the fullest sense of the word, that occurs with our students.”
Don was highly respected in his field as a mathematician and computer scientist. He earned a B.S. in chemical engineering and an M.S. in mathematics from West Virginia University, and a Ph.D. in mathematics from Ohio State. He published two books, as well as scores of articles, one of which he co-authored with an Einstein collaborator and co-author, the renowned mathematician, Paul Erdős.
At Denison, Don served as chair of the Mathematical Sciences Department for more than six years, served on the President’s Advisory Board, received the prestigious R.C. Good Fellowship, was named the first holder of the George R. Stibitz Distinguished Professorship in Mathematics and Computer Science, and received several awards for teaching excellence.
“Denison is defined by relationships, and Don represented Denison relationships at their very best. He was a cherished professor, advisor, and mentor to generations of students whose lives were shaped by him. He was a wonderful colleague who was widely respected by faculty, staff, and administrators. He was truly one of the great Denisonians,” said President Adam Weinberg.
The art and craft of teaching was so important to Don that upon his retirement from Denison in 2016, he and his family established the annual Bonar Family Mentorship and Teaching Excellence Award, which recognizes exemplary mentoring and teaching by a Denison faculty member.
Don was also a big part of the Granville community, serving on the school board from 1973 to 1980, taking on the vice presidency for three years and the presidency for one. He served on the board of the Licking County Joint Vocational (now C-TEC) school board, and he volunteered on the Granville Foundation.
Don was known for his care and devotion to the Bonar farm in Ravenswood, West Virginia, which had been in his family since 1869, but most of all for his abiding love for his wife Marty, a long-time Granville school teacher, and his daughter Mary Martha Bonar ’01. He is survived by Marty, Mary, and Mary’s husband, Ken Urish II, and their children, Katie, Isabella, and Ken Urish III.
Memorial Service: A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. in Swasey Chapel on Saturday, Sept.16, with lunch to follow. Please address condolence notes to the Bonar family at PO Box 306, Sewickly, PA 15143.