Career History
- Frank Bonnema was a sports anchor before moving to wrestling..
- Frank Bonnema served as play-by-play commentator for the “Portland Wrestling” program on KPTV Channel 12 in Portland, Oregon for 15 years staring in 1964..
- ~~~ Frank Bonnema worked with big names like Rip Oliver, Buddy Rose, Roddy Piper and Lonnie Mayne, just to name a few..
- ~~~ Frank Bonnema teamed with Dutch Savage on commentary on several occasions..
- October 15, 1982: Frank Bonnema passed away weeks after suffering a massive heart attack..
- ~~~ Fans sent cards and letters and left messages at the KPTV station wishing Frank well before he passed..
- ~~~ Don Coss announced his passing days later on “Portland Wrestling”..
- ~~~ Dutch Savage honored him by saying “The king is dead, long live the king.”
- ~~~ Don Owen acknowledged him to the audience at the Portland Sports Arena, which got a huge pop!
Michael Summers wrote: Here’s a link to a YouTube video from a Portland TV show when Don Coss announced that Frank had passed away in October 1982. It’s a very touching video. When I first saw, I cried.