Craig A. Bonda, age 80, a resident of Winfield, IL, passed away on Thursday, October 1, 2026. He was born April 6, 1946 in San Mateo, California to Stanley & Deaunne Bonda.

After growing up in southern California, Craig attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass., for boarding school. He graduated class of ’64, and one of his classmates during his time there was George W. Bush. Ironically for a prep school student in the early ‘60s, it was here that he first fostered his passion for rock music and the guitar, and even spent some time as the guitarist for a student band, the Torques. His wry, intellectual sense of humor was already on display at this point—he once recalled to a classmate of a time “in Commons when gravity liberated a glass from a nearby tray. The glass hit the floor, bounced up, hit again, and bounced up again, finally shattering when it hit the floor for a third time. The jock turned to me and, with all the seriousness befitting an important scientific discovery, said, ‘Have you ever noticed that glasses always break on the last bounce?’ Indeed, and why do you always find what you’re looking for in the last place you look for it?”

Craig served his country as a Military Policeman for the US Army in Vietnam, although his biggest career achievements came much later in life. Despite having no college degree and very little formal scientific education, he began to experiment with chemistry kits in the 90s and became a researcher focusing on sunscreens with the CP Hall Company, later Hallstar, and quickly rose to become a research fellow for them. During his career as a sunscreen researcher and chemist, he developed a reputation as one of the greatest experts in the industry, and eventually owned or co-owned 60 patents related to sunscreen and SPF protection technology for other cosmetics.

Perhaps it’s not surprising that a world-renowned sunscreen expert was an avid golfer and golf fan—it’s certainly good to know the science when you spend so much time outside in the summer. Craig could often be found in the backyard practicing his swing, or playing in local charity tournaments or just with friends—and he especially enjoyed sharing his love of the game with his sons and grandson. He preached that it was a great sport to get into because it was one of the few that most people could play well into old age. Craig held true to that, and could be found on the driving range sometimes even after his cancer diagnosis.

He also had a fascination with rocks and minerals, maintaining an impressive amateur collection of them and often evangelizing about the elegance of their crystalline structures to family, friends, and visitors. Later in life, he took up photography as a serious pursuit, and used his skills primarily to showcase the tremendous beauty of the natural world, whether it was on safari in Africa or simply the birds outside his house.

The great love of Craig’s life, however, was his wife Mary. As with his career passion, he didn’t meet the love of his life until later in it than most people expect, but that was more than made up for by the love and devotion they shared together. Throughout their 32 years of marriage, Craig and Mary were partners in every sense of the word, building a life together and standing beside each other through each of the many chapters their lives held through those decades. They each brought their own families with them into their relationship, and they forged out of them one beautiful family and a life filled with love, laughter, and unwavering support. Craig and Mary were always a team and each other’s biggest supporters. They loved their three children deeply and were devoted to supporting them and each other through all of life’s joys and challenges.

He is survived by his children: David Harrell (Sam), Regina Higgins (Keith), Matt Mikos (Lori); and his three beloved grandchildren, Megan Grimes (Jon), Zach Higgins, and Ellis Harrell. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary.

A combined visitation for both Craig & Mary will be held at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187, on Monday, November 9, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that you make a donation to the American Lung Association in the name of Craig Bonda.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.