I was Steward on the USNS Indomitable. He asked me at the beginning of the trip to bake birthday cakes for everyone who had a birthday. When my birthday came, I told him I wasn't going to do one for myself.
After work the day before he went ashore in Panama and bought a couple of boxes of Betty Crocker cake mixes and went down to the Galley and baked me a cake. 
I'll never forget that he did that for me and I tell that story to many coworkers. He was such a nice man. RIP Capt. Sonn

Im sorry for your loss.. I was under his leadership on the USS Whidbey Island 1991-1993... I remember talking to him alot about becoming an officer ....He was a great leader..God Bless Capt. Sonn

Wow , its been 20 years since I sailed aboard he USS Nassau ( LHA-4 ) , where he was the XO . I know its been 6 months ago. However XO to you and your family Fair Winds Following Seas , God Speed ....Ship Mate

Rhonda,
Bruce and I used to relieve each other as skipper of USNS INDOMITABLE.  I was shocked when I read his name in the AMO newspaper obituary yesterday. Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss of a truly wonderful man.  Not only a superb officer but a true gentleman.

I was lucky enough to have him be my Captain.When i broke my neck..he took such good care of my family.He came to visit me a few times and talked mustangs. I wish i could've thanked him...so i thank you instead

Seaman Sliwinski

 Bruce was at USNA when I was a mid.  He was CDR Sonn then, I think.  He was always interested in how I was doing (as were you, Rhonda), thanks to our family connections and I felt like someone was watching out for me.   A memorable USNA event:  Bruce was in charge of one of the yawls in a squadron that sailed to Bermuda through (around?) a hurricane.  It was (maybe) summer of 1986.  Maybe '85.  One of my good friends was on his boat.  She says she bailed water for hours and cried and prayed that they'd survive.  Survive they did, but they lost their communications equipment.  A P-3 flew out from Bermuda (I think) to round up the squadron and when my friend saw the plane, she started jumping up and down, waving her arms.  Bruce made her (and others) stop flailing and act orderly.   I always thought that was funny.  And very seamanlike.    I'm sure the whole crew will always remember CDR Sonn as the guy who helped them survive a hurricane.  He was a wonderful leader, Rhonda and Erin.  I will always remember him fondly.  I'm sorry for your loss.

He was my Skipper when i was on board the USS Whidbey Island he was a very great person and thought his crew a lot Fair Winds and Following Sea's

Rhonda, 
Our Deepest sympathies are with you and the family.
Bruce was an outstanding Naval Officer Executive Officer and friend to serve with. We were shipmates on two occasions.

Fair winds and following seas and God Bless to you Bruce!

For every joy that passes.
Something beautiful remains.
Our time together at Annapolis was such a joy.

Love Remains Forever
Don & Arletta Fortik

Rhonda, you and Bruce have had such a beautiful impact on my family. I'll always be grateful for your generosity, your courage, and your devotion to one another: qualities already easy to see in those wonderful "grandbabies." You are all in my prayers.

My sympathies...only wish I'd known him better!  (We overlapped on DDG-17 when I had the Ops Dept 1973-1975.)

I served with Bruce when he was my CO on Whidbey island and then again when he served as XO on the Nassau. I never met a more dedicated Naval Officer or a nicer man. I am so saddened by this news.  I will miss him but I have so many wonderful memories of him.
Roy Geberth
CDR USN (ret)

I served with Bruce at the MSI Trainer in Norfolk. His passing is indeed sad news and I deeply regret not doing a better job of staying in touch. May the Lord Bless and keep you Rhonda & family.

I served with Bruce on the USNS Indomitable. He was a good man, it was an honor to serve with him. My condolences.

So sorry for your lose he was my Capt. on the USS Whidbey Island LSD-41. He was a credit to the service and a good man. I was proud to have served under his leadership.

So sorry for your loss. Bruce was a friend from Hartsdale, where we were classmates at Woodlands High School.

Our thoughts are with you. Eleanor Wright

CDR Sonn was our Skipper on the USS Whidbey Island (LSD-41) He was a great friend, mentor & hero.....he will be missed. Fair winds & following seas Skipper, we have the watch.

OBITUARY

Capt. Bruce Eric Sonn, USN Ret.

May 26, 1950 – July 6, 2016

Lemmon Funeral Home of Dulaney Valley Inc.

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