Don Bonker, former U.S. Congressman from Washington, dies at 86

Former U.S. Congressman Don Bonker died Tuesday, May 30, in Silverdale. He was 86.

Bonker served as a Democratic representative for Washington’s 3rd Congressional District starting in 1975, when there were just seven Congressional Districts in Washington and the 3rd District represented Thurston County, the entire Olympic Peninsula and most of southwest Washington. He served in Congress until retiring in 1989.

The former Congressman was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer in May.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years Carolyn, as well as his daughter Dawn and son Jon. Bonker had five grandchildren.

“Dad made a lasting impact through his work but his love and dedication to our family was even more extraordinary,” Jon Bonker said in a press statement issued Wednesday. “He took more pride in the titles ‘Hubby,’ ‘Dad,’ and ‘Papa’ than ‘Congressman.’ He was the rock of our family, our protector, greatest advocate, and best friend. He was truly a remarkable person. We’re devastated by his loss, but we’re grieving with hope because he belonged to Jesus and we know we’ll see him again.”

Born on March 7, 1937, in Denver, Bonker served in the U.S. Coast Guard before beginning his career as a public servant. He served as the Clark County Auditor in Vancouver for two years before running for congress.

In his role as a congressman, Bonker chaired the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade as well as the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations.

Bonker sponsored The Equal Access Act of 1984. In 1988, Bonker also co-sponsored The Women’s Business Ownership Act.

His district was dependent on timber and fishing, and Bonker worked on policies that would preserve and advance jobs and economic diversification while protecting significant areas of Washington’s natural environment. He helped to create Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge, and the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.

Washington state Lt. Gov Denny Heck, a former Congressman who represented some of the same territory, offered his condolences in a news release.

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my friend, former Congressman Don Bonker,” Heck said. “Congressman Bonker was the epitome of a public servant, from his service in the Coast Guard to the halls of Congress. He was always ahead of his time from advocating for big election reforms in the ‘60s to a nuanced form of American global leadership in international trade. Don inspired me to volunteer on a political campaign for the very first time when he ran for Clark County Auditor in 1966. I was a ninth-grader at Jason Lee Junior High School in Vancouver. He remained an important mentor and friend my entire life.

“Paula and I send our deepest sympathies to Don’s wife, Carolyn, and the entire Bonker family,” Heck said. “Washington state and our nation are better for Congressman Bonker’s service.”

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, who currently represents the 3rd District, issued a statement saying she is deeply saddened by Bonker’s passing.

“Don was a champion for Southwest Washington led by his faith and lifelong commitment to serving our communities,” she said in her statement. “His work to preserve the woods and our way of life will continue to be felt by Southwest Washington for generations to come.

“I was honored to call him a friend and a mentor. Don was always there to answer my questions, share a word of advice, or even lend my husband a suit to wear to my swearing-in ceremony in D.C. I’m grateful I was able to share some final words with him on Monday night. I will miss him dearly, and I’m keeping his wife, Carolyn, and his children, Dawn and Jonathan, in my thoughts.”