Robert Scotten Bonheim

Robert Scotten “Bob” Bonheim, 95, of Lynchburg went to be with his Lord & Savior Thursday, September 18, 2025. He is preceded in death by Barbara Wingard Bonheim (March 1968) and Brenda Alderfer Bonheim (September 2020).

Bob was raised in Los Angeles, CA, where after 2 years in the US Army, he attended UCLA. After graduating, he began his first teaching and coaching (wrestling) position at South High School in Torrance, CA. Bob was saved and accepted Jesus Chris into his heart in his early twenties, in part because of Barbara Wingards’ witnessing to him. He married Barbara in 1956 and in the next years welcomed children Julie and Scott. Barbara developed Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 30 and died 4 years later in 1968.

Bob married Brenda Alderfer in 1969 and soon welcomed son Corey. In Greenville, SC

Bob taught and coached at Furman University from 1967 to 1973 where he grew the program from its humble start to a highly competitive team boasting some of the best talent in the region.

In 1973, Bob and Brenda moved to Lynchburg Va to join the physical education staff at Liberty University (then Lynchburg Baptist College). There Bob founded and coached the LU wrestling team. Liberty proudly writes, “Bob Bonheim orchestrated the first true national powerhouse at Liberty. Bonheim coached 35 All-Americans, including eight at the NCAA level & 21 of his grapplers went on to win NCCAA national titles. Bonheim, who also served four years as a defensive line coach for the “legendary” LU football program, helped wrestling move from NCCAA to NCAA Division II, finishing fifth nationally during his final season as head coach in the Flames third year at the new level.”

In 1969, Bob and Brenda also founded a summer mission team that lead college students in ministering to the youth of Molokai and Maui in the Hawaiian Islands. They faithfully served God in this capacity for over 50 summers. CYMOH (Christian Youth Ministries of Hawaii) remains a vibrant outreach program and is now run by their son, Corey Bonheim, and wife, Elizabeth.

Brenda, his beloved wife, co-worker, and constant companion and supporter passed away suddenly in September 2020 after a brief illness. Bob is survived by children Julie (Winnie) Yeatts, Scott (Michelle) Bonheim, Corey (Elizabeth) Bonheim, grandchildren Chris (Marla) Yeatts, Zac (Amy) Bonheim, Whitney (Scott) Thacker, Courtney (Ryan) Stanley, Justin, Makena, Blake, Julia Bonheim, and great-grands Madison, Lily, Jase, Walt, Grady, Brayden, Dylan, Harrison, and Quintin. Bob took special interest in each child’s, grand- and great-grandchild’s lives. All of them, except the youngest, spending summers with Bob and Brenda on their Hawaii summer mission trips.

As many of Bob’s student athletes can attest : “Coach will have an impact that will live on not just through us, but for generations to come. We are part of a legacy. Coach’s charge would be to stay the course, keep the faith and be a true champion for the Lord.” Bob’s signature was always lead with “In His grip”

The family will hold a private burial and celebration of life.

For those wishing to express their condolences, please use the following mailing address:

The Bob Bonheim Family

c/o Julie Bonheim Yeatts

PO Box 87

Goode, VA 24556

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made by donating toward scholarships for local Hawaiian children to attend summer Maui Christian Youth Camp. Bob and Brenda faithfully orchestrated this camp for many decades, and their legacy lives on through the lives of all those touched by their ministry. The program is operated through Thomas Road Baptist Church’s Maui Mission trip. Donations can be made directly to the trip's fundraising page here: https://bit.ly/MauiMissions26

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.