Family, Education, and Community Dr. Ralph Wyomin Bonner Dr. Ralph Wyomin Bonner beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away surrounded by his family on May 24, 2013. In his forty plus years as an educator, social worker, administrator, and organizational scientist, Dr. Bonner spent a lifetime helping people. Dr. Bonner held a variety of positions at Michigan State University including Senior Advisor to the President on Diversity, Director of Affirmative Action and Compliance, and tenured professor of Criminal Justice and Social Work. He also imparted his commitment to the community on his five children who all graduated from MSU. Ralph Bonner, 81, was born in Cleveland, OH and raised by his grandparents Amanda and Samuel Bonner, who passed on their strong work ethic and community activism. Dr. Bonner graduated from Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, IL in 1954 with a BA in Political Science and Sociology. His first job after college was at the Welfare Department of Cleveland, OH, where he met the love of his life, Jevelyn Ann Lynch. They were married in August 1955 in Columbus, OH. Dr. Bonner then continued his education at Ohio State University where he was awarded an MA in Social Work in 1961. After earning his MA, he worked in Columbus as an administrator at the Boys Industrial School and Executive Director of the Neighborhood Center of the First English Lutheran Church. Dr. Bonner left Columbus for Lansing, Michigan in 1965 to become the first Executive Director of the new Lansing Urban League. At the Urban league he worked to develop job training programs, address housing issues, and coordinating volunteers from the social work programs at Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. In 1968, he became the first Urban Programs Officer and Equal Opportunity Officer for Highway Projects at the Michigan Department of Transportation. In this position he assisted homeowners displaced by highway projects and was also in charge of social research projects. When he left the Department in 1982, he was honored for exemplary service with the dedication of the Ralph W. Bonner Roadside Park in Williamston, MI. Dr. Bonner received a Ph.D. in Multidisciplinary Social Science from MSU in 1977 and became a tenured professor in MSUs College of Social Science-School of Criminal Justice where he taught courses in the program and in the Graduate School of Social Work for over 30 years. Ralph also served administrative roles at MSU under six presidents in which he championed diversity and inclusion initiatives. He also launched a diversity consultancy, Aero Systems Consultants, in which he produced two award winning video training packages, Minorities in the College Classroom and Achieving Diversity: The Myths which were widely received and acclaimed. He was also the recipient of many honors and awards for his work in the community and higher education. He was a member of the Kappa Delta Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., National Association of Social Workers, American Association for Affirmative Action (Regional Director), and Red Cedar Optimist Club (President). Dr. Bonner also served as the first president of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Lansing and as a Big Brother to local youth. He was board member of Greater Lansings United Way, Urban League, and Girl Scouts as well as an Ambassador for the Michigan State University Federal Credit Union. Dr. Bonner loved jazz and could often be seen at MSU jazz concerts. He was known for his booming and distinctive voice that will be missed but never forgotten. He even lent his voice to play God in a local production of Job based on the Book of Job. Dr. Bonner was also an avid fan and supporter of Michigan States sports programs. Dr. Bonner is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jevelyn Ann Bonner, five children: Ralph H. Bonner (Jessica), Adrienne Foster (Terry ), Gayle Fair (Harold, Sr.), Derek Bonner, and Jevelyn Denise Bonner-Reed (Alfred) " and several grandchildren: Paige, Bryce, Derek T., Devon, Celine, Brandon, Vaughn, Rafael, and Harold, Jr. He is also survived by brother Alonzo Anthony (Debbie), sister Leslie Anthony, both of Minneapolis, a special cousin, Dr. Leland K. Hall, Sr. of Florida, nephew, C. Alexander Howard, and nieces Sonja Bronson of Columbus, OH and Trina Garner of Toledo, OH. Other survivors include brothers and sisters-in-laws Amos Lynch, Nelson Lynch, Orville Lynch (Gwen), David Lynch, and Hugh Lynch (Jeanette) and numerous nieces and nephews. Dr. Bonner was preceded in death by Althea Bonner (mother), Ernest Tilly Anthony (father), Tony Anthony (brother), Geri Lynch (sister-in-law), Mary Lynch (sister-in-law) and Amos Lynch Jr. (nephew), and Albert Crenshaw (cousin). He was also preceded in death by his aunts and uncles Samuel Elnora Bonner, Enos Howland Bonner, Hayes Wyomin Bonner, Conklin Kenny Bonner, Anolta Bonner McGill, and Ivanona Juanita Bonner.The Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at 2:00 pm at Friendship Baptist Church, 2912 Pleasant Grove, Lansing, MI 48911. The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to service. In lieu of flowers, you may make memorial contributions to the American Heart Association (donate.americanheart.org) and Building Child and Family Initiatives (BCFI): PO Box 4304, East Lansing, MI 48826.