Samuel Coe Bonar

Jan 22, 1923 - Feb 14, 2017

Samuel Coe Bonar, 94, passed away on February 14, 2017 surrounded by family at his home in Palo Alto.

He was born in Pomona, California on January 22, 1923 to Madge Coe Bonar McGee and Dr. Barnet Edward Bonar. He spent much of his childhood in Salt Lake City, Utah, moving to Southern California at the age of 14. He attended Stanford University where he met the love of his life, Betty (Elizabeth) Miller on a blind date. Near the end of World War II in June 1946, over a three-day period, he took medical school finals, state board exams, and got married! Following his marriage, he was sent to Birmingham Army Hospital in the San Fernando Valley where he served as a lieutenant in the army and was a resident in Pathology. After three years, he returned to San Francisco to do a residency at SF General Hospital and later became a professor of Internal Medicine there. In 1952, Sam and Betty moved to Palo Alto, where Sam started a private practice in Internal Medicine and Cardiology with his good friend, Dr. Frank Wheeler. When the new Stanford University Hospital opened in 1959, he and Frank moved their offices to 1101 Welch Rd. Throughout his 40-year career there, Sam was a highly-respected doctor and professor in the medical school, with a passion for diagnosing and curing illnesses.

Sam led a fulfilling life with Betty and their four children. On the home front, you could find Sam in the garden tending his plants. On his days off, he and Betty were avid golfers at Stanford Golf Course. The couple were also enthusiastic supporters of Stanford Football, and Men’s and Women’s basketball. Sam enjoyed skiing in the Sierra with his family and looked forward to annual fishing trips with friends on the Babine and Dean rivers in Canada. Over the years, Sam and Betty explored the U.S. and traveled with friends to many countries around the world.

A devoted physician and loving family man, we will miss him dearly. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Betty, his four daughters, Nancy Thomas (Mark), Trish Richards (Don), Lauren Swezey (Kirk), and Susan Bonar, as well as 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

The family wants to express their tremendous appreciation for the loving care he received from Josie, Maria, Seni, Lata, Mele, and Vingi.

A private memorial will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Stanford Medical School, the Stanford Hospital, or Stanford Athletics.