GVSU mourns death of faculty member

The Grand Valley community is mourning the death of Diane Kimoto Bonetti, associate professor of public, nonprofit and health administration, who died June 21.

Kimoto Bonetti came to Grand Valley in 1997. She taught graduate and undergraduate courses in public administration, nonprofit management and research methods. She served on the College Advisory Committee for the School of Public, Nonprofit and Health Administration (SPNHA) in the College of Community and Public Service.

Before joining SPNHA as a tenure-track faculty member, Kimoto Bonetti facilitated the communication workshop and career development workshop for several years. 

"Diane loved teaching and her students loved her," said Richard Jelier, director and professor of public, nonprofit and health administration. "She had a special touch with undergraduates and so many of her students and colleagues will remember her fondly. She will be missed."

Jelier said her commitment to the advancement of both public and nonprofit administration was fueled through her background in communications. Her experience in grant writing and service-learning programs and her ability to foster community partnerships with the Michigan Department of Health, Healthy Kent and other organizations connected her classroom to the community in powerful ways. 

Kimoto Bonetti earned a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California. She earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from California State University.

She served as chair of Healthy Kent 2010, was active with United Way's Children Ready to Succeed Investment Council and assisted in grant writing for the local American Red Cross chapter. She is survived by her husband, Jim, and son, Hunter.

A private service will be held by family members.