Nancy High (Bonich) (1967)

Ted was the love of my life.  I met Ted while we were both working at LoJac’s Drive-in the summer of ’63. It was the beginning of his Senior year and he was looking forward to Football Season. He was always so proud to be a Hobart Brickie and to be part of the class of ’64! He had so much fun with his good friends Jack Bennett, Ralf Saunders, Bob Jenkins, John Koritko and the toughest guy he said he ever knew – Don Pritchard.

We were married in ’68 while Ted was serving in the Navy in California.  He later graduated from Indiana University’s School of Business and we returned to make our home in California.  He always remained a very enthusiastic person both in his personal and professional life.  He worked for the IRS and then a career in Sales as well as coaching High School Football and Track and Field.  His greatest joy in life was our family and in recent years our five grandchildren.

His health took a turn in 2010 but he was blessed to have a liver transplant and a year later I was able to donate a kidney to him. He enjoyed a return to health and became a “Donate Life” Ambassador and encouraged all he met to sign up to be an Organ Donor.  Sadly, a complication took his life in October 2013. I so treasure the additional time we were blessed to have and will miss him always.

James (Jim) Garretty (1964)

The year was 1963........the place was Mr. Syndaric's Physics class at Hobart High School. I sat there in 4th period, right behind Ted Bonich, as clueless about Physics as Obama is about World Affairs.  The night prior, I had actually shined my loafers........because I was hoping to look SHARP for a certain lassie at HHS. With about 5 minutes to go in the Physics class, Ted skooted his chair back violently and said, "Garretty did you get that?" When he skooted his chair back, he trashed my loafers.........and the shine thereon.  I looked at him like Charlie Manson at his first Bail Hearing and said, "You idiot, what's your problem ?" He said, "Don't give me any lip or I'll drop you like a bad habit.!"  Push came to shove and the next thing you know, we had an "appointment" to meet out behind the High School.......for a punch out.  3:30 pm found me quaking in my boots.......Ted was a solid 200 pounds, fullback on the Brickie Football team......I was a meager 167 pounds, with a mean Irish temper.

The appointed time came and we met behind the high school......there were many appointed "witnesses".....I didn't think any of them were on my side but, hey, I could just die.......then and there and who would call me a coward? (such is the thinking of teenagers, eh?).  We stripped down to "fighting outfits", .....I shucked off my J.CPenny sweater.......so my mom wouldn't be pissed.....and we commenced "to get after it".  Ted slugged me in the chops with a right cross........I came back with the only thing I had.......an arm lock around the head and a tripping of the legs......I got him down without crushing me and he hammered me in the face with short punches.

I screamed at him, "Your mother is ugly and she dresses you funny", I don't know why but this seemed to give him more momentum as he punched my lights out.....so, I decided to kick him where it counts and stop with the verbal assaults. After half an hour of beating on each other, one of the sideline referrees said , "Cool your jets, this ain't goin' nowhere".......man, I was happy to hear that pronouncement. Ted stood up and flexed ....like Rocky at the Philadelphia Square....and I was just happy to have "saved my manhood"......for another time.  Later..........Ted came up to me and said......."Of all the people who I have known since I moved here, I always knew you had the sand.....I knew you'd "come to the call, and be solid"......it was a good test.

Let me say this about Ted:  he was a solid man, I always knew where he was coming from: in those days that was worth a lot..........We were  "Straight Up" with each other......I think you can not say enough about that.
 

Jeff Pence (1964)

I remember going to Ted's house and his mother would always want to feed us and I mean feed us!  In fact, if one did not eat enough (typically proven by loud belching), she would be offended.

Also, enjoyed playing football on the Brickies with Ted.

--Jeff Pence>

Ivan Hiestand (1964)

I was very saddened to hear of Ted's passing. It's strange how one remembers the little things about someone they haven't seen in years, but the one thing I recall is him always sharing his bag lunch at HHS with me. His dear mother would always make him a huge ham sandwich(sometimes two) dressed with mayo, mustard & sliced dill pickles! To this day, I still occasionally make myself a Bonich Sandwich! I also know Ted was a good guy to have on your side when you really needed someone you could count on. It's obvious he carried that trait with him throughout his life; my belated condolences Nancy and family. 

Richard (Rich) Locke (1964)

It was a clear Sunday afternoon in the summer of '63 as Ted, Bennett, Koritko, and myself were cruising the streets of Hobart in my two-tone, oil burning, '55 Chevy looking for something to do. We decided I would "borrow" a blonde female manequin I had access to from my employers' store. We promptly disrobed it and placed it in the back seat. As 3 of us set in the front seat (back then 3 could ride in the front seat of a car) we took turns for the fourth to sit in the backseat and "make out" with our new nude friend as we cruised. It was hilarious with the looks, honks, and occasional thumbs up (from guys) up we got from other drivers and passengers. Of course when Jack got back there it moved to a whole new low. - lying on his back doing reverse push-ups with our nude friend on top. We eventually placed her in the trunk with part of a leg or arm slightly exposed. We also bought her a cherry coke at Lo-Jacs. It was an afternoon filled with laughs.

I also remember a midnight Christmas Eve mass Ted, John, and I attended after experiencing "home brew" for most of the evening. The 3 of us were "appropriately" placed high up in St Bridgets' balcony. As a Lutheran I thought I had comitted two sins - drinking the homebrew and stepping into a catholic church.

I knew Ted was in the Navy at the same time I was but our paths never crossed  Interestingly, I turned down an offer from the IRS after IU and went a different route. Ted was a classmate everyone wanted as a friend. Not surprised to learn he was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. Joan (Johnson HHS '66) and I extend our sincere condolences.

William Vernigor (1964)

Recently I spoke to Lee Shirey and gave him the sad news of Ted's passing. Lee wrote back in a letter and said the following: "In the ninth grade shop class I used to ape Crowder's heavy southern drawl. A jointer was a "jawnuh" a circular saw was a "suhcluh saw." I could really amuse Ted with these imitations. So when we'd pass in the hall in school or on the street, Ted would always say, "Hey, Jawnuh." Shirey asked me if anyone remembers seeing Ted as a contestant on a game show in the summer of 1971. Shirey saw the show (he can't remember the show's name) but Ted was in his Navy uniform. Let me know and I'll pass it on to Shirey, in a phone call or letter.

Maureen Thurman (Cleveland) (1964)

Bill - was the show Ted was on "Truth or Consequences"?  They used to have service people on that show from time to time as my brother, who was in the Navy had been on it.