Philip Edward Boschen

Philip E. Boschen passed away May 5, 2016. Although he died in Alamosa, his cherished memories were in Pueblo, his home for 63 years. Phil is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Lois Boschen. Phil was a wonderful father to his three daughters; Denise Merrion of Littleton, Diane Underwood of Alamosa and Laurie Boschen, who passed away in 1988. Phil adored his four grandchildren, Jacob, Jeffrey, Christa Merrion and Reed Underwood all of Denver. He also enjoyed a special relationship with his sons-in-law, Don Merrion of Littleton and Brian Underwood of Alamosa. He kept in close touch with his siblings, all deceased, and numerous nieces and nephews. Phil, the youngest of seven children, was born in the Bronx, New York on March 11, 1927. His parents were Charles and Sadie (Jacobs) Boschen. After attending New York City public schools he enlisted at age 17 in the US Navy on March 16, 1944. During WWII he was in the South Pacific where he piloted landing craft from ship to shore in the Philippines and during the Battle of Okinawa. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in June of 1946 and enrolled at Hastings College in Nebraska. He graduated in 1949 with a degree in business. It was at Hastings College that he met his soon-to-be wife, Mary Lois Hoel. Phil and Mary Lois were married in Sterling, CO on September 3, 1950 and moved to Pueblo. Phil worked as a banker for over 37 years, first at First National Bank and then for 33 years at Minnequa Bank. He was a vice president of Minnequa Bank and handled the bank’s investments for many years. He loved meeting with customers and helping young people with their student loans. Many of his co-workers became lifelong friends. Phil was a fixture around the Bessemer neighborhood where he walked during his lunch hour and chatted with the shop owners. After his retirement in 1989 Phil spent many happy years playing golf, traveling with Mary Lois, friends and family, woodworking, walking his dog, Betsy and cheering on the Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies as a season ticket holder. Phil’s passion in life was sports, especially baseball. He played baseball in college, and participated in Pueblo softball and slow-pitch leagues, distance running, racquetball and golf. He was a walking encyclopedia of sports trivia and his childhood hero was New York Yankees star Lou Gehrig. Phil was a member of First Presbyterian Church, served as treasurer of the United Way, board chairman of Pueblo YMCA and assisted with the Old Timers Baseball Association. Memorial service, 2 pm, May 21, 2016 at George McCarthy Historic Chapel, 400 Broadway Avenue, Pueblo, CO. Donations may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society through George McCarthy Funeral Home.