Bonnie J Gutner's Obituary
Bonnie Jean Gutner passed away in Kailua, Hawaii on September 3, 2022 at the age of 89. She was born in Akron, OH and raised in Ventnor, NJ with two siblings, Johnny and Cheryl. She married the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Gutner, a career Army Officer, and were inseparable for nearly 72 years. While on active duty, they spent the next two decades traveling to military posts throughout the U.S. and Okinawa. Bob retired from his last post at Schofield Barracks near Wahiawā and they moved the family to Kailua more than 50 years ago, a true kamaʻāina couple. She doted on her two children Gaye and Robert (Rob) Jr. and later became tutu to Cory and Kelea, and spoiled them rotten.
Bonnie was a prolific reader and perhaps caught the travel bug from the destinations in the books she read from the Kailua Public Library. She opened her first travel agency with a partner in the early 1970’s in the Aikahi Park Shopping Center. Bonnie would eventually open up her own agency, Travel Inc., on Hāmākua Drive for the next 30 years. During this time, she worked tirelessly to grow her business that included corporate clients and Kaneohe Marine Corp Air Station. In addition, she opened up other agencies in Hawaii Kai and later in Boston.
Bonnie was very active in trade and civic groups as a board member and the president of both the American Society of Travel Agents and the Kailua Chamber of Commerce. She absolutely loved every aspect of the travel industry including her coworkers, outside agents, airline reps, and clients. She encouraged her inside agents to travel extensively throughout the world on “fam” or familiarization trips sponsored by tour operators, airlines, or tourism boards. Their travel experiences gave them the valuable insight and expertise to provide the best service for clients. The reputation of Travel Inc. was well known in the industry. And, somehow, Bonnie and Bob managed to travel extensively throughout the world. They travelled to popular destinations and those off the beaten path such as the South Pole, Greenland, Vietnam, Nepal, and central Australia. In doing so, they ticked off their bucket list of at least 68 destinations.
She also loved the simple pleasures of sitting and drinking wine on their townhome lanai that overlooked Ka’elepulu Pond in Enchanted Lake. Bob had a routine of making two quick rings on a cowbell, at precisely five o’clock to mark pau hana time, to invite neighbors to join them. The pond was a special place, perhaps spiritual, for her and Bob. Bonnie loved her family and friends and they loved her. She will be missed and we will carry her in our hearts forever.
What’s your fondest memory of Bonnie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Bonnie?
Share a story where Bonnie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Bonnie you’ll never forget.
How did Bonnie make you smile?