Frank Emile Bonnet
March 23, 1937 – March 29, 2023

Dr. Frank "Doc" Emile Bonnet, age 86, passed away Wednesday, March 29, 2023 in Blythe, California.

Frank was born in San Diego, California on March 23, 1937. He was the only child of Frank and Della Bonnet.

He graduated in 1954 from Herbert Hoover High School in San Diego, CA.

He married Sandra Mae Nossaman on August 5, 1958. They were married 64 years.

Frank attended La Sierra College in Riverside, California before entering Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in Loma Linda, California, where he then graduated in 1964. After graduating, he and his family moved to San Diego where he began his career. He later bought a dental practice in Upland, California and continued his practice there for a couple of years.

In 1972, Frank was traveling from his home in Ontario, California to Blythe to work part-time for Dr. Rich, in the Blythe Professional Building. In 1973, he moved to Blythe with his wife and son, where they have called Blythe their home ever since. Frank later bought the practice from Dr. Rich and continued his practice at the Blythe Professional Building for 15 years before going to work for the California Department of Corrections at Chuckawalla Valley State Prison on November 7, 1988 as a Dentist. He promoted to Chief Dentist on June 1, 1993 and remained there until he retired on April 2, 2009.

Frank got his boat dealer's license in the mid 1970's and as a side job, was part owner of Frank's Marine in Parker, Arizona. He continued to sell boats on his own in Blythe in his spare time. He enjoyed this side job as it allowed him to own and drive a variety of new boats. In the early 80's, Frank partnered with Paul Brisco and the two of them opened B & B ATV and Marine for a short time until the river flooded and there was no demand for it.

Frank had a love for racing which started back in his high school days. He raced cars, motorcycles or "motorsickles" as he always called them, boats, dirt bikes, and slot cars. He would race even while attending dental school which was not "proper" at that time. He was a bit of a rebel and enjoyed telling about it.

Frank raced motorcycles at Ascot Park in Gardena, California and a few offroad races in the La Sierra area. He raced with Walker Evans and Malcolm Smith, both of whom were personal friends of his throughout his life.

Before moving to Blythe, he would take his family to Parker, Arizona from Ontario on the weekends. He had a boat that he would drag race there. He also raced cars on a dirt track here in Blythe at Blythe Speedway. He was an avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed attending the NASCAR races in Phoenix, Arizona for many years. The last race he attended was this past November. He also enjoyed watching his favorite football team, the San Diego Chargers.

He had a huge love for the desert and the river. Besides racing, his other hobbies included camping and duning at the sand dunes in Buttercup and Glamis, boating and water skiing. He had a passion for anything with a motor. In his lifetime he owned dirt bikes, 3-wheelers, boats, jet skis, motorcycles, sand buggies, off-road buggies, quads, and a RZR.

Frank was a Godly man. He was a very dedicated and deeply respected member of the Blythe Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Blythe where he served as an Elder.

He was Fair Treasurer for the Colorado River Country Fair from 1979 to 1985 and was then appointed by the Governor in 1983 and served 4 terms.

He was a big supporter of the Blythe Volunteer Fire Department and looked forward to the fireworks display every year on July 4th.

Frank was a talker and could talk your ear off for hours with his many interesting and funny stories he loved to share about his life. He was a gentle man with a big heart.

He loved his wife, son and grandchildren deeply and enjoyed every moment he was able to spend with them. He was a very involved and hands-on father and grandpa who was always there to support the many things his son and grandchildren were involved in. He shared and passed along to them his love for the river and sand dunes and many of the activities he enjoyed in his long life.

Frank was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Sandy, on September 10, 2022.

Frank has left many wonderful and happy memories for his son, Jeff Bonnet & daughter-in-law, Roxanne Winters; grandchildren, Alexis Bonnet, Andre Bonnet and wife Lauren, and Ayden Bonnet; brother-in-law, Rick Nossaman and wife, Marilou; numerous friends, many that he considered family, as well as church friends.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 1:00 P.M. at Frye Chapel & Mortuary in Blythe, CA.

Immediately following the service, there will be a gathering of family and friends for a meal at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church Parrish Hall, 875 E. Chanslorway, Blythe, CA.