David R. Bohnhoff was born in Plymouth, Wisconsin,  the second son of Roy and Jean Bohnhoff.  Dave was raised on this dairy farm south of Plymouth with his older brother Mark (who now runs the farm), brother John, and sisters Lori, Julie and Amy. As a family, they milked 100+ head in a stanchion barn, raised all their own replacement stock, and grew and harvested all their own grain and forage. 

"I have yet to uncover an occupation that I respect more than the independent dairy farm operator. Many work 16 hours a day, 365 days a year.  Their idea of a vacation is a visit to the county fair or a local farm equipment show.  They are among the best mechanics, agronomist, and animal caretakers you will find.  They will give you the shirt off their back without question, and expect nothing in return."

Dave graduated from Plymouth High School in 1974, and from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 1978 with a B.S. degree in Agricultural Engineering.  He then worked as a design engineer for Gehl Company in West Bend, Wisconsin were he was principally involved in the development of a new series of skid steer loaders.  He is shown here in the very first prototype of Gehl's 3000 series loaders. Dave left Gehl Company at the end of 1980 to pursue a career in dairy farming.

"I selected both UW-P and Gehl Company because of their relatively small size and the great feeling I got when I visited both for the first time (a feeling that I still get when I visit them). I met many outstanding individuals at both places - great friends whose patience and advice enabled me to develop confidence in my skills and abilities.  Many of these friends also showed me how to enjoy life (sometimes too excessively)."

After getting married to Rhonda Johanning in 1982, Dave left farming for graduate school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he obtained an M.S. degree in 1985 and Ph.D. degree in 1988 - both in agricultural engineering.  He was  subsequently hired as an Assistant Professor by the UW-Madison Agricultural Engineering Department (now Biological Systems Engineering)  to teach building construction and structural design courses (as he is shown doing in this 1993 photo).  In 1989 he became registered in Wisconsin as a Professional Engineer, and was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure 1993.

"My years as a graduate student and assistant professor were the most difficult, but most rewarding of my life.  I had a young family and although we had no money, I felt incredibly blessed.  Without doubt, the fewer toys we have, the more time we spend building the relationships which matter most in life -- the relationships which bring us true happiness and satisfaction."

In 1995, UW-Madison decided to terminate its Construction Administration Program.  This and another decision eliminated the need for 3 of the 4 courses taught by Dave.  In June, 1995, he moved his family to Glencoe, Minnesota and took a job as Division Manager of Research and Product Development for Lester Building Systems in Lester Prairie, Minnesota.  One year later, he returned to his job at UW-Madison.  He subsequently developed new courses and expanded his research program.  His family rejoined him in Madison during the summer of 1997, at which time they built their own home (shown here during construction in July, 1997).

"It cost us dearly (in payments to real estate brokers) to sell our Madison home, purchase a new home in Minnesota, and then resell it two years later. We were essentially forced to build our own shelter upon returning to Madison.  Nevertheless, my year at Lester Building Systems was valuable to my career, as was the experience of building a new home with my wife and sons." 

Dave was promoted to the rank of Full Professor in 2000.  He maintains a strong research program in the post-frame building area and continues to be very active in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) and the National Frame Builders Association (NFBA).  In his spare time he enjoys building stuff, playing cards (especially sheepshead), pick-up basketball, softball and football, disc golf, gardening, a good comedy, fishing, a summer barbecue, a warm campfire with a cold beer, good old farm work (but not too much of it), riding bicycle (as long as its mostly downhill), driving in the western U.S. with the tunes cranked, and spending time with his friends, relatives, wife Rhonda, and sons Benjamin, Christian and Aaron.

"My family is extremely important to me.  I like doing many things, but they are always twice as fun when they involve my wife and/or sons."