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Sonoma businessman Bob Bohna passes away

Longtime Sonoman and owner of Sonoma Truck and Auto, Robert (Bob) Bohna, 86, passed away on January 21.

A Central Valley native, Bohna grew up on a pig farm and learned his ABCs in a one-room schoolhouse before entering the University of California at Berkeley in the 1940’s to study mechanical engineering. His college career was short-lived, however, as the U.S. entered into World War II and Bohna joined the Army Air Corps., becoming what his friend Jerry Shafer called a fighter ace. Surviving bombing runs and strafing attacks, Bohna could still recount the time he nearly died in a mock dogfight in the waning days of the war.

Following the war, Bohna joined the Air Force reserves and flew commercial airliners and cargo and transport missions. But he never forgot his first passion – cars. He decided to fan the flames of that fire and opened the popular Sonoma Truck and Auto on Broadway in 1973. According to Shafer, the business is still going strong after all these years.

“Bob was loved by so many people here in Sonoma. He will be greatly missed,” said Shafer.

A celebration of Bohna’s life will be held on Sunday, January 31 at 1 p.m. at the Moose Lodge. Memorial contributions in Bohna’s honor can be made to the Rotary Raffle Ticket fund, which promotes Sonoma Valley Youth Programs or a charity of choice.

For an in-depth article on Bohna’s airborne adventures click here