Richard's Story

Update: Since Richard was interviewed for this article, he passed away. We are grateful for Richard sharing his story with us.

Richard Bonine was getting ready to do a TV interview about the relationship between St. Odilia Catholic Community and Saint Therese at St. Odilia. He sat in a big leather chair in the family room of the St. Odilia house, waiting in anticipation. Soon, over 20 kindergartens from the St. Odilia school crowded into the family room, sitting on the floor in front of Richard. He answered question after question with grace and a smile. Questions including: How many children do you have? And, what happens when you die? Through their questions, the children slowly unveiled bits of Richard’s life. Like Richard, everyone who comes to Saint Therese has their own unique, interesting tale. This is Richard’s story.

Richard was born in 1929 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He lived there with his parents and sister until he enlisted with the Army Security Agency in 1952. The Army Language School taught him Russian in an intense 46-week program. After graduation, he was assigned to Fort Richardson in Alaska. Richard spent his days listening to Russian tapes and transcribing them.

When Richard completed his service, the GI Bill enabled him to attend the University of London where he received a Ph.D. in Russian Studies. This gave him the opportunity to study abroad and travel throughout Europe to places such as Paris, Berlin and Florence. He smiles widely as he recalls stories from his days overseas.

Upon his return to the states, Richard spent the next 10 years as a teacher of Russian history and western civilization, mostly at Dalhousie University. It was a profession he was extremely passionate about.

In 1964, Richard married his wife Sue, who he had met at one of his teaching positions. They had a son, Michael, who was born with a congenital heart defect. Michael’s health problems brought Richard and Sue to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. After a successful surgery, the family decided to settle in Minnesota.

Richard went back to school at Brown Institute to study computer programming. He worked as a programmer from the late 1970s until 1994 when he retired.

In “retirement”, Richard lives a very active life. He began writing, and has self-published, several books including Alice in Washington, a satire about Bill and Hillary and the Boomers and Fade to Black, a history of the intelligentsia and an analysis of multiculturalism. An avid lover of sports, Richard was a class c champion squash player. When he had to hang up the racquet, he took up the game of ping pong.

In the summer of 2012, Richard was diagnosed with esophagus cancer. A social worker helped him find Saint Therese at St. Odilia and he moved in last December.

At St. Odilia, Richard continues to live his life. He likes to sleep in late. When he wakes up, he enjoys breakfast and reading the paper. Most days, Richard checks his email and plays a few games of Free Cell. A music therapist comes in weekly and meets with Richard. They play the downstairs piano and sing together. Friends regularly stop by and pick up Richard to go to the movies, coffee or concerts. Richard also enjoys talking with the other residents and staff.  He says, “Talking is the best therapy; it helps me forget about the cancer.”

Richard wishes he could still be in his condo, but St. Odilia is where he calls home now. At Saint Therese at St. Odilia, Richard’s story continues.