Duane Bonvallet peacefully passed away on May 31, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado at the age of 93. Duane was born in St. Anne, Illinois. His parents moved him and his two brothers to Terre Haute, Indiana where Duane spent most of his childhood.
Duane graduated from Wiley High School of Terre Haute and was accepted into the Physics department at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. After graduating from Purdue with a degree in Physics Duane accepted a position with the General Motors Noise and Vibration Laboratory in Milford, Michigan.
Before Duane could start work with General Motors the U.S. Army called him to duty during the Korean War. Fortunately Duane was able to marry his sweetheart Norma Gruenholz of Prairieton, Indiana before entering army basic training. After basic training Duane and Norma were stationed in Ft. George Meade, Maryland where he was awarded several military patents while performing his duties for the U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Corps.
After completing his enlistment Duane and Norma moved to Milford, Michigan and raised their 5 children. During this time Duane completed a 25 year career with General Motors where he managed the Noise & Vibration Lab and later GM Engineering Staff. Duane eventually finished his career at the GM Tech Center and was awarded several technical patents.
In the community Duane was an assistant Boy Scout troop leader for Milford Troop 172 and he was very active in his support for the Milford High School Marching Band.
Years later Duane married Ann Witten and made their home on the Huron River in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Duane and Ann lived many happy years improving their home and entertaining their blended family and friends.
Duane had many interests and hobbies. He had both passion and talent for engineering and oil painting. He was an airplane pilot and enjoyed flying his family across the country in his Cessna airplane. He enjoyed woodworking, sailing, motorcycling, gardening, skiing, fishing, and camping. One of his true joys was to take his grandchildren on camping and canoeing adventures. He and Ann took a number of their grandchildren on several trips to the bottom of the Grand Canyon riding mules!
Duane is survived by his brother Dr. James “Jim” Bonvallet; his children, Mike Bonvallet (Stephanie), John Bonvallet (Claudia), Janet Bonvallet, Jane Bonvallet (Michael), and Jeff Bonvallet (Patty); his step-children Brad Witten (Dianne), Rick Witten (Bobbi); and 11 grandchildren, Sarah, Jacqueline, Jonathon, Diane, Tim, Amy, Shelly, Nicole, Lindsey, Jaime, Ellie; and 9 great-grandchildren.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents Cecil and Beatrice Bonvallet; and by his twin brother Wayne Bonvallet.
In lieu of flowers the family encourages a donation to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund at curealz.org.
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