Richard Arnold Boettcher Sr.

Richard A. “Dick” Boettcher, Sr. of Greeley, Colorado passed away at North Colorado Medical Center on November 27, 2021 at the age of 95. He was born October 25, 1926 to Arnold and Ruth (Hague) Boettcher in Lanham, Nebraska.

Dick was raised in Lincoln, Nebraska and was a 1945 graduate of Lincoln High School. He was drafted after his senior year of high school and proudly served in the U.S. Army in World War II and later served as a Second Lieutenant in the Colorado National Guard. His WWII regiment was the first to go into Japan after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He attended the University of Nebraska and in 1948 relocated to Colorado to attend what is now the University of Northern Colorado where he graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor’s degree. He married his high school sweetheart, Irene Wilkinson, on December 28, 1947 who he lovingly referred to as “the most beautiful girl in high school.” They were married almost 74 years.

Dick was deeply involved in the Greeley community and was an extraordinary businessman. He served as President of the NCMC Foundation Board as well as chairman of numerous capital campaigns. Dick was Co-Chairman of the fundraising campaign for the Monfort Children’s Clinic. He served as Vice-Chairman of the UNC Foundation, President of the Greeley Philharmonic Guild and President of the Greeley One Fund. He was instrumental in organizing what is now the United Way of Weld County. He was President of the Greeley Lions Club and served as its Sight Conservation Chairman for over 22 years. He was President of the Greeley Country Club, the Greeley Jaycees, and served as Vice-President of the Colorado Jaycees. He served on the Greeley Water and Sewer Board for many years, 18 years as Chairman. Dick served on the Greeley Planning Commission and as a Greeley City Councilman for 8 years. He served as Chairman of the Weld County Home Rule Charter Commission. He was a board member of the Salvation Army and a member of the American Legion.

Dick was a longtime member of the First Congregational Church, serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Church Moderator, pledge chairman and many years as Santa. Passionately invested in the youth of his community, he was involved in Boy Scouts of America for many decades. He served as President of the Longs Peak Council, Area President and Executive Committee member of the North Central Region and Western Region of Boy Scouts. He was a camp leader for many Boy Scout Jamborees. He was a member of the Advisory Board for the 1986 Boy Scouts of American National Jamboree and was the Western Region Chief at the 1997 National Jamboree. He also attended the World Boy Scouts Jamboree in Seoul South Korea.

Dick was recognized as Humanitarian of the Year by the Greeley Weld United Way, Weld Distinguished Citizen, Longs Peak Council Boy Scouts of America, Citizen of the Year by Masonic Lodge of Greeley and Entrepreneur of the Year, BizWest Magazine.

Dick served on the board of Central Bank, now U.S. Bank, was owner of Professional Finance Company and co-owner of the Northern Colorado Credit Bureau. He was Past President of the Medical-Dental-Hospital Bureaus of America. He was a two time President of the Colorado/Wyoming division of the American Collectors Association and served many years as its Legislative Chairman. He was appointed by three Colorado governers to the Colorado Collection Agency Board, serving for over 20 years and multiple years as its Chairman. He was Chairman of the National Collection Service Division of Associated Credit Bureaus of America.

He served as a precinct committeeman and as an alternate delelgate to a national convention. He also served as campaign chairman for several U.S. congressional candidates and was chairman of treasurer for many local campaigns..

Dick was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Irene, his son Richard Jr. (Lachelle), his daughter Lori Shoop (Mike), and his daughter Sue McTigue (Mike). Also his grandchildren Ryan Boettcher, Scott Boettcher, Lyndsey Wellens, Amy Salazar, Charlie Shoop, Staci Blinn and Joe Blinn, great-grandchildren, Blake, Teagan, Irie, Brooks, Lewis, Madelyn, Preston, Wyatt, Henry and Lucy, and step-grandchildren Anna and William, brothers Bill and Dale Boettcher.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Dorothy Parker and an infant son, Barry Lynn Boettcher.

Donations in his memory may be made to your favorite charity or Longs Peak Boy Scouts of America.

A visitation will be held on Friday, December 3 at Allnutt Macy Chapel, 6521 W 20th Street, Greeley from 5:30 – 7:30pm. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens at 1:00 pm. A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 4 at the First Congregational Church, 2101 16th Street at 2:00pm with a reception following.

Livestream link to Memorial Service: https://youtu.be/wVazMQlHcSo