Richard John Bonino
March 29, 1941-Jan. 26, 2022
Menlo Park, California

Richard “Dick” Bonino passed away unexpectedly on January 26, 2022. He will be remembered as a devoted family man, business leader, expert handyman and car enthusiast. Dick was greatly admired, loved, and respected by his friends, colleagues, and family. He was known for his integrity and his ability to solve problems. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge and expertise to help others and will be forever missed by family and friends.

Nothing was more important to Dick than his family.

Dick was born on March 29, 1941 in San Francisco to Richard Teresio Bonino and Doris Marie Johnson Bonino. The family relocated to Redwood City and then to Menlo Park, where Dick lived since the age of ten with his parents and brother, Steve. Dick attended Menlo-Atherton High School, where he met his future wife of 58 years, Pam.

The proud son of an Italian immigrant, Dick was a hard worker, starting in the swimming pool business at the age of 13, moving onto the All-American Market in Menlo Park during his high school years where he became the assistant manager. In his early 20’s, Dick worked for Hiller Aircraft, and later embarked on a career as a Manufacturing Manager, Operations Manager and Chief Operating Officer at various local companies, including Varian, Benson, Schlumberger, Phoenix Precision Graphics and Precision Image. He became an expert in computer-controlled high-end printer-plotters and received a patent for his innovative ideas.

Dick was a skilled craftsman, earning his contractor’s license in his spare time and using his considerable talents to remodel his Menlo Park home. In his retirement years, Dick was the ‘go-to-guy’ for repairs for his neighbors in the Allied Arts area. He also enjoyed woodworking and made beautiful gifts for his family.

Dick was a lifelong car enthusiast. In his teen years, he saved up for his first car, a ’49 red Mercury convertible. He enjoyed restoring cars and driving up and down the California coast in their 1990 red Corvette with Pam. Their favorite destination was Mendocino. Dick had nearly completed the restoration of a 1959 Corvette, which his family hopes to complete in his honor. One of the highlights of his life was attending the Indianapolis 500 with his brother, Steve.

Another of Dick’s passions was his love of the beautiful coastal redwoods. He purchased a 40-acre parcel of land off Skyline Blvd in his 30’s, and absolutely loved camping with his family there. He personified what was so special about the Portola Heights community by his involvement with road maintenance and property upkeep, even building his own bridge over Slate Creek. He made many friends among the resident neighbors.

Dick was predeceased by his parents, Richard and Doris, and his beloved granddaughter, Tatum. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Pamela Nelson Bonino; his daughters Annette Jackson of Kennewick, WA, and Lisa Mitchell of Menlo Park; her husband Mark, and grandchildren Cason, Riggins and Landry Mitchell of Menlo Park; his brother, Steve Bonino, of King’s Mountain, North Carolina, and his family.

Tags: business