AIA California joins AIA San Diego and our entire community in mourning the passing of Philip John Bona, FAIA, a respected architect, planner, educator, advocate, and cherished member of our architectural community.

Phil dedicated nearly five decades to advancing the profession and improving the communities we serve.

As AIA San Diego President in 2017, a member of the AIA California Board, a National Strategic Council representative, and recipient of AIA San Diego’s 2019 Robert Mosher Lifetime Achievement Award, he led with vision, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to housing, urban design, sustainability, and equity.

He was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows in 2021 in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to architecture and society.

“He was such a gentleman and so well informed on his position on any issue–that was something I appreciated: he always was prepared to discuss the topic at hand in great depth,” said Scott Gaudineer, AIA, a former AIA California president who served on the organization’s board of directors with Bona. “And, he continued to share his passion to make sure the profession was elevated in the eyes of members and the public. He was so committed to it.”

Bona’s diligence and passion is echoed again and again.

“One of my earliest experiences with AIA San Diego was serving alongside Phil Bona on the Regional Design Advisory Council,” said 2025 AIA San Diego President Katee Chard, AIA. “I remember being struck not only by the depth of his knowledge, but by how generously he shared it. His passion for Housing the Next One Million was contagious, and he challenged all of us to think more deeply about our responsibility to the communities we serve. When I began my term as AIA San Diego President, Phil reached out with encouragement and offered his guidance whenever I might need it, a gesture that reflected the kind of person he was. He was a dedicated citizen architect, mentor, and advocate whose presence strengthened our profession. His passing is a tremendous loss to the San Diego architecture community.”

Phil’s legacy lives on through the countless architects, civic leaders, students, and communities he inspired. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Letrice, his family, friends, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of working alongside him.

His voice, leadership, and dedication to creating a better built environment will be deeply missed and long remembered.

There will be services on
Thursday June 18th in San Diego
La Mesa at Saint Martin’s church at 10:30 AM.
7710 El Cajon Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942
Followed by a reception at the American Legion VFW
818 University Ave. La Mesa 91942

Wednesday June 24th in San Mateo
The service in the Bay Area will be at St. Bartholomew’s at 10 AM
300 Alameda De las Pulgas. San Mateo 94402