Chief Robert Tonis, HK 1974 (1909 -2003)

1972 Kroks with Derek Bok and Chief Tonis

Chief Tonis joined Harvard in 1962 to be Chief and head up Civil Defense after having been an FBI agent in Boston.  One of his initial job duties was to recommend whether or not Harvard would cooperate with the federal government on CD.

1974 04 19 Kroks in their Wild State

During his thirteen years in office, there were many turbulent times when students across the country often felt unjustly treated by their local policing forces and students at Harvard felt somewhat separated from the administration.   Students at Harvard adored Chief Tonis because he was often “on their side” during this tumultuous period and because of this, he became a beloved figure.

Because of this, he was the first pick of the Kroks of 1974 to be their emcee for their “In Their Wild State” spring concert.  In his comments, he ribs the Kroks, commenting that playing their music for criminal suspects could be considered “cruel and unusual punishment.”    During this concert, the Kroks named the Chief an Honorary Krok.

The Chief retired in 1975 and was interviewed about that in 1976.

1972 Kroks with Derek Bok and Chief Tonis

Interestingly, after very extensive searches of the web and the extensive Harvard University Archives, there doesn’t seem to be any readily available photos of Chief Tonis’ face except the image left where he is largely obscured by a floral arrangement.

Obituary:

HARVARD gazette

Robert Tonis, former HUPD chief, dies at 94
May 8, 2003

 

Robert Tonis, former chief of the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) has passed away at the age of 94 at Hospice House on Cape Cod.

Following a 27-year career as an FBI agent, Tonis became chief of HUPD in 1962, keeping that position until his retirement in 1975. A longtime freshman adviser and member of the Senior Common Room of Adams House, Tonis held a B.A. in English from Dartmouth College and a law degree from Boston University. His lifelong passions included beekeeping, jazz, and opera.

In his honor, a piece for swing band has been commissioned and will be premiered at the Harvard Band Dartmouth concert on Oct. 31. Donations in support of that commission may be directed to the Harvard University Band, 74 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge, MA 02138. Checks may be made payable to “The Chief’s Fund.”

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2003/05/robert-tonis-former-hupd-chief-dies-at-94/

 

Boston Globe

Robert Tonis, 94 , died Tuesday at Hospice House in Barnstable Village. Mr. Tonis grew up in Brockton and lived many years in Weymouth and Hull, finally settling in Barnstable four years ago. After graduating from Brockton High as Class President in 1927, he attended Dartmouth College, earning a degree in English literature. He then entered Boston University Law School, where he obtained his law degree. He married Paula Miller in 1935 and joined the FBI to work under J. Edgar Hoover for 27 years. He was assigned to the Boston office as Supervisor of the Criminal Division when the Brinks Robbery took place. Upon retirement from the FBI in 1962, he became Chief of Police at Harvard University. While he was at Harvard, the Globe magazine featured him in an article entitled “The Uncommon Cop,” detailing his extensive involvement in the University’s community. Mr. Tonis was active in numerous organizations over the years: the Masons, the First Church in Weymouth, scouting, the Hull historical society, and as a volunteer at Harvard’s Stillman infirmary to name a few. Among his other interests were beekeeping and jazz; he was fond of Italian opera and played second violin with the Brockton Symphony in the 1950’s. Survivors include three sons, Kenneth Tonis of Orinda, CA; David Tonis of Brockton, and Frank Tonis of Phoenix, AZ; one daughter, Barbara Brack of Yarmouth Port; a brother, Richard Tonis of Brewster; three grandchildren; two great grand-children, and numerous nieces and nephews. A Memorial Celebration will be held on Sunday, April 27 at Tales of Cape Cod on Rte. 6A in Barnstable Village at 1 PM. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Cape Cod or to the charity of one’s choice.

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bostonglobe/obituary.aspx?n=robert-tonis&pid=932663