Blake Athletic Hall of Fame 2026 Inductee Chief Wonson

Harold “Chief” Wonson worked at Blake for 36 years (1940-76) teaching English and math, serving as dean of students and coaching football, baseball and golf. Wonson and his wife, Dode, who also worked in various roles at Blake, married on Nov. 26, 1943 in the Blake Chapel, the first couple to do so. Their three children, Mitch B’66, Peter B’64 and Barbara N’72, all attended the school. Wonson attended Dartmouth College where he played baseball and also lettered in cross country and track. In 2004, Wonson was inducted into Dartmouth's athletics hall of fame, Wearers of the Green. In the early 1940s, Wonson pitched for a semipro team in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, and signed with the Minneapolis Millers, but could only play for the team in the summer when school was not in session. Wonson left teaching in the mid-1950s to work for Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance but continued to coach Blake football. He returned to full-time teaching and coaching at Blake in 1957. After retirement, he continued his lifelong involvement in athletics through frequent tennis matches and golf outings. For many years he was a manager and coach in the Edina Little League Baseball program. Wonson also practiced chipping shots on the Blake field throughout retirement. A plaque next to the Hopkins campus driveway commemorates this spot. He died on February 17, 1998; memorial gifts were directed to Blake’s athletic department.