Bonner, Ernie R., 1932-2004

Ernest ‘Ernie’ Bonner was born in Logan, Iowa in 1932. He earned his master’s degree in urban and regional planning from Cornell University. He and his wife, Lynn, had two daughters, Kathleen and Christine.

Bonner served as chief planner in Cleveland, Ohio before he was recruited to Portland as the city’s Director of Urban Planning in 1973. He acted as Portland’s chief urban planner until 1978; in this capacity, he was instrumental in the formation of both Tom McCall Waterfront Park and Pioneer Courthouse Square.

After leaving the city council he worked as a Metro councilor, president of Sunlight Energy Systems, and as an energy conservation manager for Bonneville Power Administration. Later he worked or volunteered with various Portland groups including: Riverfront for People, Metro 7, Portland Planning Commission, and the Park Blocks Foundation.

Bonner passed away in 2004 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

From the guide to the Ernie Bonner Oral History Collection, 1994-2004, (Portland State University Library)

Ernest ‘Ernie’ Bonner was born in Logan, Iowa in 1932. He earned his master’s degree in urban and regional planning from Cornell University. He and his wife, Lynn, had two daughters, Kathleen and Christine.

Bonner served as chief planner in Cleveland, Ohio before he was recruited to Portland as the city’s Director of Urban Planning in 1973. He acted as Portland’s chief urban planner until 1978; in this capacity, he was instrumental in the formation of both Tom McCall Waterfront Park and Pioneer Courthouse Square.

After leaving the city council he worked as a Metro councilor, president of Sunlight Energy Systems, and as an energy conservation manager for Bonneville Power Administration. Later he worked or volunteered with various Portland groups including: Riverfront for People, Metro 7, Portland Planning Commission, and the Park Blocks Foundation.

Bonner passed away in 2004 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

From the guide to the Ernie Bonner Papers, 1919-2003, (Portland State University Library)