James Herbert Boehmler Jr.

James H. Boehmler, Jr., 96, of Columbus, formerly of Cherokee Village, Arkansas and Iowa Falls, Iowa, passed away peacefully Thursday, May 30, 2019 at Four Seasons Healthcare. James was born February 23, 1923, in Hampton, Iowa, the son of James H. and Bess (Luke) Boehmler, Sr. He married “Boots” Gertrude Scribner in May of 1945; she preceded him in death in 2007. He later married Joyce Lorentzen; she preceded him in death in 2014. James grew up on a farm, the oldest of four brothers. James graduated from Hampton High School in 1941. During high school he played the oboe in the band, participated in theater and on the football and track teams, and was Editor of the yearbook and a class officer his senior year. James started college at Antioch in Yellow Springs, Ohio the September before Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941 and was inducted into the Army in March 1943. He served 3 years ending up a Sergeant in the 1268 Combat Engineering Battalion in Europe and the Philippines. After WWII, James graduated from the University of Minnesota in December of 1948 with Highest Distinction in Civil Engineering. He went on to become a pioneer in the prestressed concrete industry, as he built the first plant in the Midwest in Iowa Falls. In 1989 he was recognized as one of twenty “Eminent Iowa Engineers” for his contribution to the engineering profession during the last century. Former President Herbert Hoover, whose book was an inspiration to James, was also among those recognized. Besides being very active in civic organizations in both Iowa Falls where he raised his family and started his business and Cherokee Village where he retired, James was an avid sportsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golfing. He loved airplanes his whole life, building model airplanes with his cousin, Bill, as a youngster, and piloting his Beechcraft Bonanza between his manufacturing plants and to Texas on vacation as an adult. He was also a member of the Cherokee Village United Methodist Church. James was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Bart Boehmler; and his son, John Boehmler. Survivors include his loving daughter, Diane Parsons (David) of Columbus; son, James H. Boehmler III (Jodi) of Schertz, TX; daughter-in-law, Linda Boehmler of Houston, TX; brother, Robert Boehmler (Donna) of Rogers, AR; sister-in-law, Doris Boehmler of Missoula, MT; stepchildren, David Lorentzen (Linda) of Middleton, WI, Bryan Lorentzen (Cindy) of Franklin, WI, and Barb Hoelzer (Tom) of Austin, TX. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Megan Parsons, Benjamin Parsons, James “Jay” Boehmler, IV (Deb), Christopher Boehmler, Erica Galligher (Kirt), John Boehmler, Jr. (Erin), Alexander Boehmler, and Lindsay Boehmler. James has 13 great-grandchildren and several cousins, nieces and nephews. James’ family would like to thank his friends at Four Seasons who listened to his stories about airplanes, growing up on the farm and serving in the war. A special thanks also to the medical and other staff at Four Seasons who gave James wonderful care the last five years. Memorial contributions may be made to Bartholomew County Humane Society, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Atterbury Bakalar Air Museum. A joint memorial service for James and his brother, Richard Boehmler who also passed on May 30th, 2019, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 3, 2019, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Hampton, IA. A private family burial for James and his wife, Gertrude will be held prior to the service at the Hampton Cemetery. Military rites will be accorded for both James and Richard. Please leave condolences or special memories of James online at: www.Myers-Reed.com Myers-Reed Chapel is serving the Boehmler family.