It was in December of 1971, when the Bay Area was rapidly expanding and development was creeping up Mount Diablo’s foothills, that Art Bonwell and Mary Bowerman founded Save Mount Diablo.
When he and Mary Bowerman saw the threats from development that faced Mount Diablo, he proposed the creation of a group focused on protecting Mount Diablo, Save Mount Diablo.
After co-founding Save Mount Diablo, he served on its Board of Directors until he passed away in 2012.
Hikers at Vasco Caves. Art Bonwell at right. Photo by Scott Hein
His legacy extends through the magnificent open spaces of Mount Diablo and far beyond.
In the same year that he founded Save Mount Diablo, Art Bonwell founded the Diablo Wheelmen bicycle club that organized trips throughout California and Oregon, and eventually grew to 450 members.
He was also on the Board of Directors of the Concord Historical Society for more than a decade.
Art Bonwell with Robert Doyle and Tina Batt at Moonlight on the Mountain in 2011. Photo by Scott Hein
The protection of many of the parks and open spaces that we take for granted today is thanks to his passion and decades of relentless work doing whatever was needed to support Save Mount Diablo.
Recently, Dan Baldwin was able to get special permission to scatter Art’s ashes throughout Mount Diablo State Park, so that Art would once again be able to be on the land that he cherished.
Photo courtesy of Dan Baldwin
After Art Bonwell’s ashes were scattered on Mount Diablo, Dan Baldwin wrote:
“Before Art Bonwell and Mary Bowerman founded . . . Save Mount Diablo . . . in 1971, the Mount Diablo State Park included just 6,788 acres.
“Art had a vision that the hills surrounding the mountain were an extension of the mountain itself and he made it his mission to preserve all of it so that future generations could enjoy it in its fullest and most natural form.
“Art didn’t have any biological children of his own, but he treated me like a son since I was a teenager. He stepped in to help my family in times of need, mentored me as I grew into a responsible adult with his help, and taught me the power of outdoor hobbies like skiing, scuba diving, sailing, and bicycling.
Photo courtesy of Dan Baldwin
“When I was 16 years old, he financed my first bicycle, which I pedaled to the top of the mountain well over 100 times as a teenager. When I had my own children, Art considered them grandchildren too.
“Today, I watched my 32-year-old daughter scatter Art’s remains at the Blue Oak Picnic Area, facing west. From his birth in Dana, Indiana to the Navy in World World II, a full adventurous life in the Bay Area, to this moment; Art was 86 when he passed away 11 years ago.
“As his ashes floated in the breeze, I thought about how proud Art’s spirit must be, not only of the foundation or of the 20,000 acres it has preserved among this gorgeous mountain and its surrounding hills, but of our family coming together in this way. He left quite a legacy.
“We know that our youngest generations will carry on his passion for nature by honoring these sprawling hills with our hobbies and family gatherings, the way Art always taught us.
“Thank you, Art and Mary, for having the passion and vision to start . . . Save Mount Diablo . . . and for all you did for this giant backyard we call home.”
Editor’s note: To scatter the ashes of a loved one in Mount Diablo State Park, you need a permit from California State Parks, and such a permit was secured for the scattering of Art Bonwell’s ashes.
