Richard "Dick" W. Boehmer

Growing up, Dick was molded by the women in his life as his father passed away when he was a mere 5 years old. Dick, his mother, and younger sister Donna moved from the farm to Pawnee City. His mother, grandmother, and aunts helped guide and raise him. As a young boy, he had a paper route, and during high school, he participated in football and was a player on the state championship basketball team. While waiting for a ride at the swimming pool in Pawnee City, he met Carolyn Jane Fidermutz, and she stole his heart. They dated throughout high school, but broke up before graduation in 1951. Three months after graduating, Dick joined the Navy. He was stationed in the Mediterranean on a ship named the Kankakee. He loved being in the Navy and documented every country and city he ported. France, Greece, Portugal and Spain were some of his favorites. At every port he wrote love letters to Jane, who was a student at Tarkio College. On a leave back to the United States, Dick and Jane’s romance was rekindled and on May 20, 1954 they were married. Dick finished his four years of active military service followed by another four years in the Naval Reserve. Throughout his life, he remained in contact with many of his Navy comrades. He became Treasurer of the Reunion Committee and scouted locations for annual reunions east and west of the Mississippi.

In 1955, Dick was hired by Central Electric and Gas Company in Lincoln. He was a pioneer in the world of computers when no one had heard of computers. Although the company changed names multiple times, he was a diligent and devoted employee for 35 years. 1955 also brought the birth of Dick and Jane’s first daughter, Phyllis. In less than 5 years, they had two more girls, Kyle in 1957, and Loretta (Lori) in 1959. They were affectionately known as “The Boehmer Girls”. With Dick and Jane as the parents, it was a running joke the girls should have been named Sally, Spot, and Puff from the grade school readers.

Dick served as the Provider and Protector of his family. The family remained active within their community and Southview Christian Church. Dick served on the Board of Directors at Southview and spent countless hours helping build a new wing. Social life was centered around church family get-togethers of playing Pinochle and eating homemade ice cream on the 4th of July. The Boehmer’s had many memorable traditions including a two-week vacation every year to visit areas of the United States, decorating graves for Memorial Day, and high school reunions in both Pawnee City and Humboldt. Weekly activities for Dick included bowling leagues and Masonic Lodge where he became a Master Mason. Holidays were spent celebrating with aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.

In the 70’s, Dick and his family experienced many exciting changes as both Phyllis and Kyle got married, Dick & Jane became grandparents at the ripe old age of 39, and Dick received a promotion that resulted in moves to Las Vegas, Chicago, Ohio, and New Jersey, then back to Lincoln in 1987. Shortly before moving back to Lincoln, Dick’s youngest daughter, Lori, got married. Dick retired in 1990 and started a roofing business with his dear friend, Chuck Smith. Dick and Jane joined East Lincoln Christian Church where Dick was instrumental in organizing a People of Christ group.

In 2000, after visiting Minnesota for countless fishing vacations, Dick and Jane purchased a lake home in Nevis, which became their permanent residence in 2015. Dick was able to focus on the four F’s of his life: faith, family, friends, and fishing. He was active with Hubbard United Methodist Church, coffee with his men’s group, 50-year member of the American Legion, and ship reunion treasurer. In his spare time, he enjoyed woodworking, gardening, making fishing lures, and fixing trolling motors. In 2021, Dick and Jane moved back to Lincoln to be closer to family. But most importantly, he adored spending time with the catch of his life, Jane, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Dick is survived by his loving wife of 69 years Jane Boehmer; children, Phyllis (Gordon) Anderson, Kyle (Rick) Maher, Lori Schaffert; sister, Donna (Norvin) Boehmer Pearce; grandchildren, Michele Anderson Rogers, Amy (J.) Anderson Uhlmann, Ryan (Johanna) Anderson, Jason (Jill) Maher, Hannah (Erin) Schaffert Gracia and Aidan Schaffert; great-grandchildren, Reagan (Brody), Lillyan, Trevor, Evelyn, Charlotte, Benjamin and Theodora; nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends.