Honors College alumna Heather Bonser-Bishop (’93, English) drowned in a tragic accident on April 28, 2012, while paddleboarding with her family. Heather leaves behind her husband, John, and daughters Greta and Elia. A celebration of Heather’s life was held May 20 at Humboldt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, in Bayside, California; friends in the Houston area also gathered to record memories of Heather to share with her family.

Heather joined Honors on a full scholarship in 1989 and lived on the 3rd floor of Law Hall, graduating in 1993 with a degree in English. After graduation, she traveled on a Rotary International Scholarship to Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, where she earned a degree in Teaching English as a Second Language. After returning to California, she earned an MBA from Humboldt State University. As a regionally and nationally recognized expert in rural health, Heather worked to increase access to health and human services for people of all economic levels as executive director of the North Coast Clinics Network and later as a consultant to non-profit organizations.

Heather’s husband John shared, “Heather often spoke of the great time she had at Houston. She bonded with her classmates and held them and that time in her life close to her heart. From what she told me, I don’t think a person could have a more ideal college experience. She was encouraging our oldest daughter Greta to consider Houston for college.”

He said, “Heather was always all about community, and the community she found at the University of Houston verified her faith in it. She felt supported and was grateful for the opportunity to attend. I know her time there helped shape the woman I married into the compassionate, generous person we love, and for that we are very grateful.”