Leo “Vic” Vincent Boehler, 88, passed away at Shepherd of the Valley Care Center on June 4, 2012 of pulmonary fibrosis.
The circumstances of Vic’s birth were pure Wyoming. His father William (one of the “Bill’s” after whom the town of Bill, WY was named), and his mother Catherine (Kate) set out from their Verse, WY homestead in a horse drawn wagon hoping to get to Douglas where the baby could be delivered in a hospital. A snowstorm forced them to find shelter along the way and so Vic was born on March 9, 1924 in a small cabin in what was then called Dry Gulch, WY. Bill and Catherine returned to Verse with Vic, leaving him without a birth certificate for most of his life. He grew up an only child on a desolate family homestead during the Great Depression, writing later of his boyhood days, “I killed more rattlesnakes by the time I was six than most people have seen in their whole lives.” Following a devastating fire in 1938 that destroyed Verse, the family moved to a new homestead where they farmed acreage that is now part of the town of Sheridan.
Vic graduated from Sheridan High School in 1942, and moved to Casper in 1946 to begin his long career at Amoco Refinery as an instrument mechanic. He married Margaret E. Rooney, his wife of 63 years, in September 1948 and they started their family of 3 children. He retired in 1984 after 38 years of service. Vic’s life was twice interrupted by war. He served in the Navy as a radioman during WWII from 1943-1945 aboard the USS Sheridan, and again during the Korean War from 1951-1952 aboard the USS Maddox. He was very proud of his service and enjoyed staying in contact with his shipmates scattered across the country.
Vic was a devoted husband and wonderful father. He always made time to be involved in the many activities of his three children. He loved to watch baseball and play bridge, and he was a formidable bowler. In later life he became a writer, relating amazing tales of his father’s pioneer life and reporting on the many wonderful trips he took with Margaret as they enjoyed their “golden years” together after their retirement.
He was a devout man who truly lived his faith; he was very active in the Holy Cross, giving his time to help provide food to those in need. Even after being diagnosed with fibrosis, Leo would load up his oxygen tank and head down to the ministry to help where he could.
Vic is survived by his wife, Margaret; three children: Kathi (Dean) McKee of Lander, WY; Dan (Kathy) Boehler of Billings, MT; Bob Boehler (Carol Wallace) of Seattle, WA; four grandchildren: Mike (Jodi) McKee of Minneapolis; Michelle (Joe) Nipko of Austin, TX; Kerry (Paul) Mikolaj of Denver, CO; Tom Boehler (Christa Steiner) of Manhattan Beach, CA; sister-in-law, M. Lucille Pennock of Lander, WY; brother-in-law, John T. Rooney of Los Alamitos, CA; and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Rest in peace dad, until we meet again to “have a catch”.
Visitation will be at Bustard’s Funeral Home from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 10, 2012. The rosary will be held at the funeral home at 7 p.m. on Sunday.
A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church with Father Lucas officiating at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 11, followed by a luncheon in the church basement. Internment will take place at a later date.
Memorials may be made in Vic’s name to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Holy Cross Food Bank, or Meals on Wheels.
