Bonnie Richart

By Kit Zinser

In 1962, Bonnie and Ken Richart decided to stay put in Washington after falling in love with the square, tree-lined streets and the people in town.  Bonnie married her lifelong love in 1950.  Coming from a family of teachers, she first taught high school in Vinton, Iowa.  However, married teachers were considered a liability for longevity during the early years, so she found herself without a contract.  Being a resourceful woman, she found a job in a small hospital doing anything required – office work, attending births, sitting with critically ill patients.  Then, Ken’s job brought them to Washington in 1959, and she was hired in District 52 – a happy event for many students over the years. 

Bonnie and Ken didn’t have their own children but helped many kids through Sunday School, youth groups, basketball, and baseball. In the 1960s, a park meant swings, a slide, and maybe a backstop for baseball, and this was out behind Glendale Cemetery. Washington needed a park district, and the Rotarians needed help getting the word out and mustering support from the community.

Bonnie and about two dozen other citizens stepped up to convince the community of the need for a Park District. Their efforts resulted in a referendum, and Bonnie ran for a seat on the Board of Commissioners (one of five members AND the first woman to serve).  She was the secretary for six years and then president.  When tax dollars became available in 1969, the Heyl family saw that 55 acres in Washington could be utilized as a park, and Washington Park was born.  Around 1972, 95 acres from the Schmoeger family segued into Meadow Valley Park.  Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Weaver donated the Weaver Park nature area.  Bonnie credits community enthusiasm as shelters and playgrounds popped up through the efforts of the Rotary, Hopewell Grange, the Jaycees, and Junior Women’s Club.  The ever-present Town and Country Gardeners saved thousands for the Park District by implementing landscaping.  She and Ken were heavily involved with the Washington Recreation Association for five years. Bonnie stepped in where needed and coached boys’ baseball, bringing her team within inches of a league championship.  She had many friends and a multitude of interests. She was a Pi Beta Phi, Sigma Tau Delta, Iota Phi, DAR, and a member of Washington Retired Teachers. She loved kids and animals and enjoyed all things outdoors, which led to another adventure.

Before a search for a country setting, Ken purchased an Appaloosa named Navajo Storm, along with Tinker, a mare.  Hank, a colt, was born the day Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s home run record. Bonnie called her good friend Marg Fox (Toad, Marg’s husband, shared Ken’s passion for horses) and suggested they look at the property on Foster Road.   The rest is history.  Each couple purchased twelve acres and had a kinship that lasted for many years.  Bonnie and Ken later moved back to Iowa, and Bonnie Sue Bergdahl Richart passed on  April 24, 2006, at her home with Ken by her side. 

We are happy she found us in 1959. She is our treasure, and many miss her.