Robert Carr Bonds

A genuinely good man has passed away and is now resting in Jesus’s arms.

Robert Carr Bonds (USAF Major, Ret.) was born May 17, 1951, to Ruth Alden Burton Bonds and Ralph Gordon Bonds in Washington, D.C. When his parents divorced, Robert moved with his mother back to her hometown of Amarillo, Texas, until he was returned to the nation’s capital at age ten to stay with his father “for the summer.” That visit turned into nearly nine years. Robert next saw his mother after high school graduation by saving his newspaper delivery earnings for a bus ticket to Texas. However, their reunion was short-lived because his mother’s new husband wasn’t thrilled about an 18-year-old stranger moving in with them and their young daughter Carol--Robert’s new half-sister.

So, following a one-semester stint at West Texas State University, Robert enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, which became his new “family.” Through intelligence and diligence Robert found his niche as a medical recruiter for the Air Force, traveling among the United States and several foreign countries as his built his career, leading and teaching a cadre of newer recruiters, striving to convince physicians and nurses to work on military bases instead of more lucrative hospitals or private practices.

Robert found true love in 1973 when he married Ann Patrick, the much-traveled daughter of an Army sergeant, thereby gaining a treasured and mutually respectful relationship with her father that greatly influenced his personal outlook and professional progress. Though their marriage was happy and lasting, genetic issues in Ann’s family history and the prospect of frequent transfers and heavy business travel convinced the newlyweds not to become parents. Instead, Robert poured energy into his career, rising in rank as he increased the number of physicians and nurses successfully recruited within his assignment sector. His innovative tactics in the Upper Northeast resulted in that area’s improvement in just one year from third lowest to second-highest recruiting sector in the nation. Ann became a homemaker who worked in management support positions for a computer corporation and a bank, and she produced newsletters for several of the bases where Robert was assigned. She also honed her artistic talents with oil and pastel portraits for galleries and private clients. In all, Robert devoted 23 years to the Air Force, earning one B.S. degree and two Master’s degrees with 4.0 GPAs while working fulltime and traveling. After retirement in 1994, those years of discipline and hard work transferred with Robert into civilian life as a healthcare administrator/manager where he earned national awards for excellence from several professional organizations. In 2000 Robert had an opportunity to come to South Texas, so he became a “Valley boy;” he was always proud to have resided in McAllen longer than in any other place.

In 2013 Ann passed away from cancer after 36 years of marriage. The following year Robert wed Merrijo Tanberg Dean, a teacher from nearby Harlingen. Through their loving relationship of 11½ years, Robert gained the companionship and admiration of two grown stepsons, Garrett Dean (Shannon) of Valley Center, California, and Brady Dean (Vianney) of San Marcos, Texas, both veterans of the U.S. Marine Corps. Together Merrijo and Robert enthusiastically embarked on a new life of service to their church, Conservative politics, a theatrical club, a women’s society, skeet and clay target shooting, and fundraising efforts.

Having been diagnosed with Type II diabetes in 2012, Robert applied his customary discipline toward the disease by losing weight and changing his diet, thereby avoiding insulin-dependency. He rode a mountain bicycle several miles each day and volunteered for the American Diabetes Association’s annual 25-mile “Ride for Life” held in the Houston area to raise funds for diabetes research. In 2018 he campaigned for election as Hidalgo County Republican Chairperson, earning a respectable 48 percent of the vote against his opponent’s winning 52 percent. Upon ceding victory, Robert immediately directed his sincere support toward the newly elected Chairperson by working tirelessly as a precinct chair, head of several key committees, and Republican election chairperson for Hidalgo County. For his dedication and effectiveness, Robert was twice awarded the Distinguished Lincoln-Reagan Prize by the Hidalgo County GOP. In 2021, after successfully recovering from three-way heart bypass surgery, Robert resumed his active lifestyle and welcomed new opportunities to serve his community and state. Robert also enjoyed his work as an adjunct faculty member at McAllen’s South Texas College, teaching baccalaureate classes in Healthcare Management. Then in 2023, he and Merrijo and four other couples founded a New Global Methodist Church in McAllen called Foundations. Their time, talents, and efforts were devoted to growing that body of Christian believers. In the final years leading to his death, Robert worked from home a minimum of 25 hours per week for his church and an equal amount of time for the County’s Elections Department, handling a broad variety of needs and recruiting/scheduling election workers from among the county’s populace for numerous election cycles.

On Sunday morning, February 1st, Robert felt extraordinarily fatigued. Nevertheless, while his wife gathered food and dishes for a church conference, he dressed for church as usual and drove to the store to purchase the loaf of bread for Foundation’s weekly Communion rite. Unexpectedly, he collapsed in the parking lot. Observers called 911 and he was rushed to an area hospital, where he died soon after. Truly, one can say Robert Bonds died while doing the Lord’s work.

Those who mourn him are certain of his whereabouts, for he dearly loved his Savior and King, serving Him in numerous ways in the church and community without regard for person recognition or reward.

Robert’s survivors are his wife Merrijo, stepsons Garrett and Brady, sister Carol Edwards (John), sister-in-law Lolly Burns (Ricky) of Harlingen, and all their families.

A memorial service is planned for 3:00 p.m. on Valentine’s Day at Foundations Methodist Church, 700 N. Main Street, McAllen, Texas 78501. Those attending the memorial may enjoy light refreshments immediately afterward at the church. Later that evening, close family and invited friends will share a meal and reminisce at the home.

Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home of San Benito, Texas is handling arrangements in McAllen. At a later date, Mr. Bonds’ cremated remains will be interred in the columbarium of South Texas Veterans Cemetery on Inspiration Road in Mission, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to any of three organizations Robert faithfully supported – The Salvation Army, Rio Grande Valley Food Bank, and Foundations Methodist Church. (For the latter, direct mail to: Foundations Methodist Church, 5111 N. 10th Street, PMB #181, McAllen, Texas 78504.) Now, please hug your loved ones, hang on, and be blessed by Our heavenly Father’s grace in your life.