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From: John Eichelberger
Category: Friends
Date: 30 Aug 2005
Time: 09:48:26 -0500
Remote Name: 64.12.116.13
I hardly know where to start in expressing my tribute to a dear friend. As I reflect on this moment in time, I think what a loss to so many. Bonni was a pillar of strength in many communities and to so many people. She never stopped touching the lives of her friends and she never will. The one thing about Bonni that sticks most in my mind is that when she liked and respected you as a person (and you had to earn that) you had a life-long friend with no strings attached. It as an unconditional friendship, always truthful (although the advice and feedback was painful at times), and always there when you needed it. I remember all to well when I first met Bonni after I joined the Office of Investigations. Bonni was the SAC Miami at the time. I thought to myself, who is this impossible, opinionated, tongue-lashing woman. Well, shorthly after forming this view of Bonni, she became my boss as the Assistant Commissioner, OI and over the years, while working for her, and, even after our careers took us to different places, I had the opportunity to alter my perception of Bonni, who I totally misjudged (which I have done many times during my public service career). Bonni not only became my boss, she mentored me and most importantly, I like so many others became a dear friend and was unconditionally adopted into her family for eternity. Bonni, you will always be a friend and will always remain in my thoughts and prayers.