Richard Leroy Boyer, 82, formerly of Bayard, passed away Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at Golden Living Center in Scottsbluff.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 22, at the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Ken Maldonado officiating. Inurnment will follow at Chimney Rock Cemetery near Bayard.
Memorials may be made in care of the Boyer family and will be designated at a later date. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jolliffefuneralhome.com.
Richard was born Nov. 8, 30 to Aaron and Dorothy (Comstock) Boyer at the home that was homesteaded by his great grandfather in 1883 in Bayard. He attended Chimney Rock country school that was also built by his great grandfathers Boyer and Comstock. Richard finished his schooling at Bayard High School, graduating in May of 1949.
During his high school years he joined the Civil Air Patrol. This led him to a blizzard in January of 1949 when he flew about 50 sorties, delivering food, medicine, heating oil, hay for cattle and bringing pregnant and sick people into the hospital. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he did his basic training in San Antonio, Texas. Richard then continued his training in airplane mechanics at Wichita Falls, Texas. He received at medical discharge in 1950 and returned to the family farm where he helped his father continue farming. He started working at the Sioux Ordinance Depot north of Sidney later that fall.
Richard married Willa Jean Miller and later moved to Sidney. He became a volunteer firefighter and in 1955 he took a position as a Sidney police officer. Richard was involved in investigating several murder cases and the capture of two of the FBI's most wanted criminals.
He and Willa adopted their son, Curtis, in 1961. They moved to Scottsbluff in 1965 and he worked as a mechanic and did service work on appliances for Co-op. He also worked for KN gas, Sears, and was a salesman for Montgomery Wards.
The family moved back to Bayard in 1972 to help his family with the homestead. Richard married Bonnie Berry in Lead, S.D. in 1975 and with this marriage, Bonnie's daughter, Lisa, joined the family. He and Bonnie purchased the Montgomery Wards Catalog Store in Bridgeport in 1976 and owned the business until the company finally closed. He was a salesman for several car dealerships locally and in Denver in following years.
Survivors include his wife, Bonnie, of Scottsbluff; son, Curtis (Sandra) Boyer of Gering; daughter, Lisa (Kevin) Griffith of Gillette, Wyo.; sister, Delores (Dale) Kimbrough of Bayard; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Preceding Richard in death were his parents; his first wife, Willa; and brother, Lloyd.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Dear Bonnie and Family! So sorry for your loss. We will always remember Richard. God bless you and all our love Heidi and Family
Heidi Rogeres Family
July 21, 2013
Bonnie: I am so sorry to hear about Richard and have you and your family lifted in my prayers. Your sister in Christ, Nancy Escamilla-Gamboa (Abe and Lupe's daughter)
July 21, 2013
Bonnie and family, I am very sorry for your loss. God Bless
Marlyce Ramig
July 20, 2013
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