Duane L. “Sparky” Bohnstedt, 92, of Punta Gorda, Florida, passed away at the Life Care Center of Punta Gorda on Saturday, December 10, 2016, after becoming ill on the 19th of August 2016.

Duane, or Sparky, as he was known, was born on February 18, 1924, in Beatrice, Nebraska, to the late Duane Townsend and Evelyn Irene (nee – Brinton) Bohnstedt. He graduated from Beatrice High School in 1942, and then attended college in Manhattan, KS, the University of Colorado in Boulder, and the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, CA, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree of Professional Arts. World events interrupted his education however. Sparky served honorably in the 15th Army Air Force 460th Bomb Group with the 760th Bombardment Squadron during World War II in the European Theater.

At the end of the war he returned to the states, and eventually met the love of his life and future wife Betty Jean (nee – Fralin) Bohnstedt on a blind date. It was love at first sight for both, and they were married on the 26th December 1948 at her parent’s home in Beatrice, Nebraska. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Inglewood, California where they lived until Sparky’s graduation in 1951 from the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. They then moved to Detroit, Michigan where Sparky was hired as an automobile designer by General Motors. He worked only briefly for GM before he left to work for the Packard Motor Car Company until Packard folded. He was the first person rehired by GM who had left in 27 years. He worked on GM’s designs for their first Corvettes and Nomads. Throughout his career he worked in Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac studios as Chief Designer. Sparky, an extremely talented artist also taught Design at Palto Alto in California in 1961. Sparky and Betty lived part time in Wiesbaden, Germany from 1963 to 1965, while Sparky worked for Opal, subbing for a friend so the man wouldn’t lose his U.S. Citizenship. He retired in May of 1984 from GM’s Chevy, GMC Truck division. Sparky with his wife and their daughter then moved to Punta Gorda, Florida in July 1984.

His favorite hobbies revolved primarily around antique cars and their restoration. In 1977 he took 1st Place, beating out over 300 other vintage antique vehicles in the long-running annual Greenfield Village (Dearborn, MI) car show, winning their coveted vintage car title. He was a member and of the V.M.C.C.A. (Veteran Motor Car Club of America) in Michigan and Florida and the Mustang Club, regularly attending many car shows until he became involved with his WWII Bomb Group, the 15th Army Air Force 460th Bomb Group, where he was stationed in Spinazzola, Italy, from Feb. 1944 to June 1945. He was a member of the 460th Bomb Group society and President from 1991 to 2005, and along with his wife Betty, co-wrote the “History of the 460th Bomb Group” published in 1997. Both Sparky and Betty were responsible for organizing many of the group’s reunions until the group disbanded in early 2006. Sparky and Betty both enjoyed traveling, making numerous trips overseas to Europe and the British Isles.

In 2009 Sparky was inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame in Bowling Green, Kentucky, as the Hall’s 39th inductee so honored. A very talented man, Sparky often said, “I can fix anything but a broken heart.” He will be greatly and forever missed by his daughter Kara Lyn Bohnstedt.

He is survived by his daughter Kara of Punta Gorda; a nephew, Jack (spouse Kathy) Schultz of Lincoln, NE; brother-in-law, Robert Fralin of Fremont, NE; and cousin, Janice Twinam of Washington, IA; friends, Don and Louise Cox of Ocala, FL, and of course, Bella, the family cat. Sparky was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Betty, on September 24, 2014.

A private committal will be held for Sparky at Restlawn Memorial Gardens in Port Charlotte, Florida, where he will be laid to rest with his wife Betty.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Sparky’s name are suggested to the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, 3760 Fowler Street, Ft. Myers, FL 33901, the Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County, FL Inc., 3519 Drance Street, Port Charlotte, FL 33980, or a charity of your choice.

[The family would like to thank the wonderful, caring staff at Life Care Center of Punta Gorda. We’ve never met so many compassionate, caring, and loving staff members. They not only took excellent care of my father Sparky, but me (Kara) and other family members and friends.]

Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences to the family. Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Homes Punta Gorda Chapel.