Dr. A.N. Bonde O.D. “Art,” 82, of Boise, passed away on July 23, 2018, with his youngest daughter, Nicole, by his side. Art was born in Idaho to Elvin and Doris Henderson and had a younger sister, Zola.
Art enjoyed Idaho and all that it had to offer. He spent his life hunting up until he wasn’t able to anymore. He enjoyed playing pinochle and could always be found with a beer in hand.
In high school, Dad played basketball and football and although he never bragged, there were many family and friends that said he was quite good at sports.
While living in Caldwell, he met and married Shirley, on June 2, 1957. He and Mom just shared their 61st wedding anniversary. Mom passed away the next day.
Dad was a very hard worker and always had a job or two that he loved doing. He loved talking about working in the orchards and picking fruit. He would start to sing his favorite songs and soon the fruit would be flying at him by migrant workers to shut him up. He always laughed at how bad his singing was that it even crossed language barriers.
Dad and Mom worked hard to put Dad through college so he could become an optometrist. He started his practice in Rupert after graduating from College of Idaho and Forrest Grove in Oregon. He was voted Optometrist of the Year in 1976.
They had three daughters, Toni, Paige and Nicole. They raised their family in Caldwell because Dad did not want any of his daughters marrying “God Damn Mormons!” He also did not want them marrying “God Damn Republicans!” That being said, he had many friends and relatives that fell into those categories and he never judged by those standards. As a matter of fact, I cannot remember anyone he did not like or that did not like him.
Dad was very politically active and taught his daughters to also get involved and try to make a difference. In the early 80’s, Governor John Evans called the house and told Art he needed him to run for congress. Dad declined as he had a few optometric practice’s going at the time and felt he was too busy. He was also friends with another great Idaho Governor, Cecile “Ceece” Andrews. Dad had been on educational panels for him; his greatest passion was vision, especially kids’ vision. He even self-published a book. Helping children get a new outlook on life, by allowing them the ability to see better was his true calling. He changed many lives of both the kids and parents.
His grandchildren were the light of his life. He always enjoyed their company and gave them his best advice, even if it wasn’t appropriate. His grandchildren adored him and cherish the many memories they shared together.
To meet dad was to know and love him he had such a great sense of humor, although not always appropriate, and was so fun to be around. He will be deeply missed.
Art was proceeded in death by his wife, Shirley; his parents; sister Zola; daughter Paige; nephew Charles and niece Julie.
He is survived by his daughters Toni (Claire) Bonde and Nicole (Steve) Collins; son-in-law, Lawrence Lucas; 6 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren and numerous family and friends who will miss him dearly.
A special thanks to Apex Genesis where he spent his last couple of months and Dr. Ryan Moore and his nurse Nicki who took such great care of him and Shirley for many years. Also, a special thanks for All Care Hospice for the wonderful work they did and the kindness they showed.