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The Lifetime Achievement Award is bestowed posthumously on an individual who has recently passed away and who, during his or her life, achieved personal success, made an outstanding contribution to his or her chosen field of endeavor, and achieved recognition by his or her colleagues.
B.S. Mechanical Engineering (’44), M.S. Mechanics (’52), Ph.D. Mechanics (’62), Illinois Institute of Technology
Bonthron began his Illinois Tech career in 1940 as a member of the first freshman class of the newly formed Illinois Institute of Technology following the merger of Armour Institute and Lewis Institute. During graduate school, he was also an instructor in the mechanics department, and by 1952 he was also working part-time as assistant to the dean. After earning his doctorate, he became a full-time professor, and by 1968 was dean of students, a role he held until 1975. Bonthron retired in 1991 as emeritus professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering after 44 years of service to Illinois Tech.
Katherine Stetz, vice provost of student affairs and dean of students, nominated Bonthron for his extraordinary dedication to the university. “[Bonthron] expressed a love for this institution,” she says. “He learned at IIT, learned from IIT, and also taught IIT a thing or two. His passion for Illinois Tech is illustrated in the multitude of service he provided for the students of IIT.”
Illinois Tech recognized Bonthron with two Clinton E. Stryker Distinguished Service Awards and an Excellence in Teaching Award.
After graduating in 1944, Bonthron began a job at the Naval Research Lab in Washington, D.C., and served as an Ensign in the Bureau of Ships until 1946.
“IIT was [my dad’s] life, his passion, his source of pride, and his legacy,” says Bonthron’s son Brett (EE ’88). Bonthron valued his Illinois Tech legacy so much that he wrote two accounts of his “IIT Story” and left them for his family on an old computer with instructions on how to access them after he passed away. His love for the university proved inspirational to Brett and Bonthron’s other son, Scott (ME ’88, M.B.A. ’94), who followed in their father’s footsteps and became Illinois Tech alumni in 1988, both accepting their diplomas on stage from their father.
In addition to his sons, Bonthron had two nephews, a brother, and a brother-in-law who graduated from Illinois Tech, making the Bonthrons truly an IIT legacy family.
Learn more about the 2016 Alumni Awards.