Charles Allen Bonsall

Sandy, UT – Charles Allen Bonsall, aged 84, passed away on April 23, 2026, due to progressive challenges with Parkinson’s and Hodgkins Lymphoma while in hospice care.

He was born in Waterville, Maine, on February 9, 1942, the oldest son of three boys born to Porter and Ethel Bonsall.

Charlie spent his formative years in Maine, in the company of his brothers, parents, extended family and friends. He was baptized in the Methodist church and continued his formal religious activities within it lifelong. He would also consider himself a Wesleyan and an Emersonian-Unitarian. He tried to live following teachings of Wesley, specifically:

"Do all the good you can by all the means you can in all the places you can at all the times you can to all the people you can as long as ever you can."

Charlie was a lifelong learner and educator. He completed a bachelor of science degree in electronic engineering from Heald College of Engineering. He also completed advanced training and certifications throughout his many careers, his primary career being a radar engineer and later supervisor with the Federal Aviation Administration. He received a full scholarship to Colby College but was so heavily involved in his extra-curricular activities--holding leadership positions in many of them--that he was “encouraged” by his father and the Dean of Men to enter the Navy, the hope being that he would develop his personal discipline, which he did. He spent his service time on board two destroyers, the USS Ingersoll (DD-652) and the USS Hull (DD-945).

He met and married his soulmate Yolanda Zavala in San Francisco on May 2, 1964. They were married for 61 years and always served as excellent role models of love and true partnership. They have two children, a daughter Cynthia and son James. Charles’ priority was always family and was a very present, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He also relished his relationships with his extended family as an uncle and all other familial roles.

Charles enjoyed traveling and was able to live and work in many places worldwide, from his naval service in Vietnam/Asia, to working for the United Nations in Colombia, returning state side to Colorado, and finally settling back down in Utah. His family appreciated and developed fully through these experiences. Some examples of this would be acquiring fluency in Spanish and being able to visit Yolanda’s family in Peru. He also spent time outdoors with his grandchildren and family, camping regularly on annual trips that were highlights of the year for all.

He lived his values and did his best to positively support and influence those around him. He diligently compiled the family genealogy and has left the influence of this history for his family. He also was the13th Maine Infantry Regiment historical coordinator.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Yolanda, survived by daughter Cynthia, son James (Cortney), eight grandchildren (Tatiana, Elena, Eva, Sofia, Beckett, Olivia, Liliana and Lucia), two great grandchildren (Alyssandra and Ioannis), two brothers and siblings-in-law, and 33 nieces and nephews and several generations of their children. Charles will be sorely missed, fondly remembered and forever a wonderful influence on his family, friends, and communities.

A memorial service will be held at Hilltop United Methodist Church at 985 East 10600 South in Sandy on Friday, May 8, at 2:00 PM, visitation starting at 1:00 PM followed by a reception at the church. His military interment with honors at Utah Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Park, 17111 1700 W, Bluffdale, will take place at noon on May 12. The services will be livestreamed via Zoom and can be accessed by clicking the "Watch Services" button above.