Lee Robert Boese Sr.

Dr. Lee Robert Boese, Sr. passed away peacefully on February 5, 2021. Lee was born on January 10, 1939, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to parents Marie and Leo Boese. Being raised and educated in Milwaukee, Lee attended Marquette University High School, graduating in 1957. During High School, his part-time jobs were cleaning dental offices where he spoke with various dentists which started his interest in dentistry. In the autumn of 1957, he entered the pre-dental program at Marquette University after which he was accepted into the Marquette University School of Dentistry, obtaining a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. Dr. Boese received the Alpha Omega Scholarship Award for having the highest-grade point average in his dental class. In addition, he was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society and the Jesuit Honor Society, Alpha Sigma Nu. Psi Omega was his social outlet with friends and classmates from around the campus.

While at Marquette, he thought he was pursuing a young co-ed named Sandee Simonick, but, in actuality, the coed had already pursued her own plan of engagement. Sandee graduated and began teaching in the Milwaukee Public School System while Lee completed his final year of Dental School, in 1963.

The month of June, 1963, was a busy one, as the first week was Lee's graduation from Dental School, the second week was Sandee and Lee's wedding in Minnesota, the third week was the Bermuda honeymoon and the fourth week was their move to Washington D.C.

Lee had enlisted in the U.S. Air Force prior to graduation, where he was offered a rotating internship at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington D.C. As an Air Force Captain, he was, then, transferred to Castle Air Force Base in Merced, California, for two years, as the periodontist at the Base. It was at Castle that their first child, Lee Robert Boese, Jr., was born. After his three-year military obligation, the Air Force presented Captain Boese with the Commendation Medal for meritorious service.

While in the military, gaining experience in all aspects of dental specialties, Lee decided on orthodontics and was accepted, in 1966, into the prestigious Orthodontic Program at the University of Washington in Seattle. Lee's clinical research in the area of long-term post-treatment stability, now spans a period of over 40 years. This research and treatment are taught in orthodontic programs throughout the United States. He received a Master of Science Degree in Orthodontics, in 1968.

Lee's post-treatment stability procedures led to recognition as an international lecturer throughout the United States, Canada, Latin America, Mexico and Europe. As an author, his clinical research articles, audio lectures and videos are still available for students and professionals.

Later in 1968, the Boese family moved back to Merced with their young son, where Dr. Boese opened his private practice in Orthodontics Exclusively. In 1969, their daughter, Joy, was born. Lee was a loving and caring Father who spent much time with his children while attending their sporting events, coaching basketball, travelling and mentoring.

In 1994, Dr. Lee Boese, Jr., joined the practice after graduating from St. Mary's College and the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry. Dr. Boese, Sr. completed his presentation of orthodontic cases to become a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. His professional participation included receiving a United States Public Health Fellowship from the Marquette University School of Dentistry for the study of growth patterns in cerebral palsy patients.

Within the professional organizations, Dr. Boese held numerous elected offices and committee assignments. He was the General Chairman for the American Association of Orthodontists Annual Meeting in San Diego. In the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, he served as President and General Chairman of the Annual Conference in San Francisco and Chairman of the Continuing Education Committee. In the Edward H. Angle Society, Dr. Boese was the President of the National Angle Society, Program Chairman for the National Meeting in Sun Valley and Director to the Central Body. In the Northern California Component of the Angle Society, Dr. Boese served on the Board of Directors and was elected President.

Dr. Boese was the reviewer for the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthodontics. He was the consultant, specialty and chief examiner for the Certification of Orthodontic Specialists in British Columbia.

During years of hosting garden events, for Merced charitable organizations, Lee served as President of Merced County's Yosemite Dental Society and was President of the North Merced Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. His fellow Rotarians always liked his story telling, based on true experiences, but embellished enough to be humorous.

Dr. Boese loved orthodontics and was fortunate to have very loyal employees who worked with him for many years, one still to the present day. Others went on to careers, with Dr. Boese's encouragement and mentorship, in all fields of medicine, accounting and dentistry. As the years rolled by in his practices in Merced, Los Banos and Fresno, he began to see his former young patients come to his office as, now, parents of their own children, a few as even grandparents. The patients would always greet him whenever out and about, in Merced. It was always miraculous to his wife, Sandee, that he may not have remembered their name but he knew exactly the before and after treatment of their teeth.

In 2021, the practice added Dr. Nicholas Ng, a graduate of the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry and the Jacksonville University School of Orthodontics. Dr. Boese had many professional commitments but loved his extra-curricular activities of jogging, golfing, fishing and bird hunting. Every summer, he would take his family and relatives to Ely, Minnesota for canoe trips into the boundary waters, accessible by seaplanes. There were easier trips that everyone could enjoy with the hiking, fishing and canoeing, hopeful of the weather cooperating. Lee was an excellent fly fisherman with trips to exotic places, where he would catch every species of native fish or the sailfish, with his light tackle.

Friends would see Lee jogging on the Bear Creek bike path with his favorite Labrador, Pepsi. The labs were always with him and his hunting buddies on duck, quail, dove and partridge hunting trips.

Lee is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sandee, son, Dr. Lee Robert Boese, Jr. and wife, Suzanne of Merced, daughter, Joy Boese Theodora and husband, Kevin of Palos Verdes Estates, California. Lee has four wonderful grandchildren, Alexis Boese Captain (30) and husband, Joe Captain, Kevin, Jr. Theodora (15) , Brennen Theodora (11) and Breana Theodora (9). He has nieces, Lynn Ptacek, Dawn Walter, Jean Steinki, husband, Bob, and nephews, Michael Ptacek, J.W. Pierron, wife Tracy, with their extended families. Ginger Pierron is a beloved sister-in-law. Lee was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Barbara and husband, Bill Ptacek and mother-in-law, Millie Simonick and father-in-law, John of Merced. In this extraordinary climate, there will be no services or memorial, at this time.

Remembrances may be made to Our Lady of Mercy School, 1400 East 27th Street, Merced, CA., 95340 or the Merced Rotary Club Foundation, P.O. Box 751, Merced, CA., 95341.

Arrangements are under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home.