Bonnie Sloane Yingst

Bonnie Sloane Yingst, PhD, of Empire, MI, passed away December 24, 2023 at the Munson Hospice House with her family by her side. She was born in Pittsburgh, PA on August 12, 1944 to the late Leo and Betty (Findley) Fiedorek. On August 21, 1987, in Grosse Pointe Park, MI, Bonnie married Douglas Yingst, PhD, who survives her. She and Doug finished designing and building their unique home on the shores of Lake Armstrong, Empire in 2008. In addition to her husband, Bonnie is survived by her stepchildren, Rebecca (Patrick) Price of Cleveland Heights, OH and Stuart (Elizabeth) Yingst of Darien, CT; grandchildren, Stella, Benjamin, Sloane, and Margot; and brother, Bruce (Elizabeth) Fiedorek of Katonah, NY. Bonnie had a remarkable career in science while also prioritizing her family. Bonnie's life was enriched by her love of international travel, an appreciation of fine cuisine, and cherished moments spent with close friends who were often esteemed colleagues. Despite her soft-spoken and reserved nature, Bonnie had a way of letting you know where you stood. She embodied a rare balance of qualities—loving, caring, and sensitive, yet confident, decisive, and assertive. She also had a great memory. It was this balance of traits that enabled her to thrive as a devoted wife, loving mother, and accomplished scientist. Bonnie first distinguished herself academically in fourth grade. After taking attendance, her teachers had her skip normal classes and spend the day reading whatever she liked in the school library. After graduating as valedictorian from Hoover High School in North Canton, OH, she attended and graduated from Duke University. She considered Stanford, but her father said it was too far away. Bonnie earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in Zoology from Duke University in 1966. She obtained a Masters of Arts in Physiology from the same institution in 1968. She received her PhD in Physiology from Rutgers University in 1976 while holding the Charles and Johanna Busch Fellowship. She began her first faculty position as an Assistant Professor in Physiology at the University of Pennsylvania and later joined Michigan State University. In 1980, she moved to Wayne State University as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology. In 1984, Bonnie was honored with a National Institute of Health (NIH) Research Career Development Award. She became an Associate Professor in 1984, a Professor in 1989, and achieved the esteemed title of Distinguished Professor in 2005. Bonnie broke barriers in 1995 by becoming the first woman to chair a department in the school of Medicine when she was appointed Chair of the Department of Pharmacology at Wayne State University. Bonnie led the Proteases and Cancer Program at the Barbara Karmanos Cancer Institute at Wayne from 1999 to 2005. During this time, she served as an adjunct professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Windsor, Ontario. Bonnie was an active member of numerous professional societies. Notably, she made history by becoming the first woman elected as President of the Association for Medical School Pharmacology Chairs, serving from 1999 to 2001. She also played a pivotal role in advancing research and collaboration by co-founding the International Committee on Proteolysis, becoming its first chair, and serving on the board from 1990 to 1999. Her research group's pioneering work established a role for lysosomal cysteine proteases and their endogenous inhibitors in malignant progression of cancer. Bonnie was also a visionary leader in the implementation of cellular imaging in the protease field. She published 183 scientific papers, edited three books, and made over 200 presentations at seminars and meetings worldwide. A more detailed description of her professional work and contributions can be found on the Wayne State School of Medicine website. Her list of honors and awards include: • Probus Award in 1984 • Board of Governors Faculty Recognition Award in 1985 • Gershenson Distinguished Faculty Fellowship from 1991 to 1993 • Inaugural Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award in 1994 • The Jozet Stefans Days plaque from the Jozef Stefan Institute in Ljubljana, Slovenia, in 2004 • Lawrence Weiner Award in 2005 • A Gold Medal and University Plaque from Cairo University in Egypt in 2009 Bonnie took great interest in mentoring and training graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in her lab and around the world. Many of her students have gone on to develop successful careers of their own. She viewed and cared for her students as part of her family. Bonnie collaborated with scientists in Europe, China, South America, the Middle East and Australia. For personal interests, Bonnie enjoyed travel, food, wine, and baking apple pie and Christmas cookies. She was a voracious reader with favorite publications: The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Gourmet Magazine. A memorial ceremony for Bonnie will be held on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 2:00 pm at the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home, with visitation beginning at 1:30 pm. A reception will follow at Rove Estate Winery from 4-6 pm. For those wishing to give a gift in memory of Bonnie, contributions may be directed to The Glen Lake Community Library in Empire, MI.

Bonnie Sloane Yingst

August 12, 1944 - December 24, 2023