He was the first in his family to attend college, starting at Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas, eventually finishing with a BS in Economics from Central Missouri State Teachers College.
Tonnies grew up in Independence, Missouri, and attended William Chrisman High School and Ottawa University.
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He received the Meeker Award from Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas, in 1997; and the Lincoln Award from Northern Kentucky University in 1998, which said, "This award represents a commitment to service, fidelity to noble causes and sense of turning challenges into opportunities."