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Niles West High School Illinois State University Indiana State University Iowa State University

FUNERAL HOME

Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home & Crematory

1787 Deerfield Road

Highland Park, Illinois

GERALD BOEVERS Obituary

Gerald Boevers, 73, of Highland Park, passed this Thursday from natural causes while working in his garden. The epitome of "Teacher," Jerry had a distinguished career as an educator and mentor for 40 years in the social studies department at Niles West High School and then at ISU. He survived his wife Eileen by just 18 months, after losing her to cancer. He is survived by his brother Bob; son Davidl daughter Jessica; new grandson Easton. A Memorial Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 6, from 10 a.m., until the time of Memorial Service at 11 a.m., at Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home, 1787 Deerfield Rd., Highland Park, IL. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be directed to www.donorschoose.org. For funeral info or directions please call Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home at 847-831-4260 or www.kelleyspaldingfuneralhome.com.

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Published by Chicago Tribune on Jul. 4, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for GERALD BOEVERS

16 Entries

Josie Berns/Sterling

August 22, 2010

Dear Jessica and David,
I'm so sorry to hear that your dad is gone. I knew him at Niles West as a teacher. I worked with him as a colleague. We were all friends working at AppleTree. I still have the plexiglass desk organizer that he made for me.He touched so many lives. He made a difference. He will be missed.

Dorothy Matter Pirovano

July 16, 2010

I learned of "Mr. Boevers" death just now and want to share my condolences with you, his family. He was my history teacher way back in the early '60s and he instilled in me - and so many of us - a love of American history that remains today. But more than that, I so clearly remember his laugh and smile, his intensity, his own love of his subject and his sincere desire to help each of us as we needed it. He gave me confidence and support when I needed it most and I will always be grateful. You were blessed with having him and so was I.

Thomas McMahon

July 14, 2010

I was so sorry to learn of Jerry's death; I treasure memories of our friendship. His quiet integrity during some very anxious moments at Niles West served as a model for his many friends. We taught many of the same students, he in American History and I in American Literture. He was a very respected teacher and respectable man.

Patrick Savage

July 13, 2010

Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. I taught with Jerry for many years at Niles West starting in 1969. He was one of the best we had at Niles West. He will be missed but always remembered.

renay greene gaye

July 11, 2010

Dear David and Jessica,

I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad's death. I am a cousin from your Mom's side. When I was a kid your parents were very kind to me. Your Dad shared many of his books with me, that opened my mind. He always seemed larger than life to me. I know he will be missed by everyone he touched. What a great guy.

Keith Healy

July 11, 2010

Boevers Family,
Mr. Boevers mentored me at ISU and I have always thought about his words of wisdom to me in the profession of teaching. He was one of one of my best mentors and fondest memories in learning the profession. I am so sorry for your loss.
Sincerely,

Keith Healy

Peg Armstrong

July 8, 2010

Dear David and Marisa, Jessica and Matt:

There aren't words to say how sad I am for you. I hope you are all a comfort to each other, and I hope that soon all of the memories of your dad will bring more joy than grief. I really got a kick out of your dad, the few times I spent time with him. He was smart, and he was funny, and he was so proud of being your dad.

Thinking of you and praying for you too.

Love
Peg.

Lori Tecktiel Frischer

July 7, 2010

Dear Jessica and David,

Your dad was my student senate advisor at Niles West from 1983-85. He had a great influence on me and his other students. Over the years we would run into him at Gillson Park, or Apple Tree or even the grocery store. He always said it like it was. In my Senior yearbook, they somehow forgot to print his picture in the pic's of the staff, so he taped a picture of himself into my yearbook, with a very kind note. Your dad was a great man that will be missed by many.

Peggy Bassrawi

July 6, 2010

I was a colleague of Jerry's at Niles West. During his last several years at West, he used to come to our office (nurses') for a 40 minute nap. We had an "honorary Jerry cot" reserved for him!
I will miss him!

Anthony Crubaugh

July 6, 2010

Dear Boevers Family:

The History Department at Illinois State University wishes to express collectively both its sympathy for your loss but also its great appreciation for Gerald's dedication to the noble profession of teaching. His work will continue in the lives that he impacted as a supervisor of student teachers. May you find comfort in memories of your time together and the fact that your loved one passed away naturally and in peace and as a good man.

Sincerely,
Anthony Crubaugh
Chair, Dept. of History
Illinois State University

Barbara Giannelli

July 6, 2010

My deepest sympathy to Jerry's family. I worked with Jerry at Niles West and always appreciated his no nonsence approach and his say it like it is attitude. He will be missed.

July 5, 2010

Jessica and David, Please accept my condolences. Your Dad was always such a great cheerleader during my years at Apple Tree Theatre. He was a generous man, positive and encouraging to artists. He will be missed. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Peggy Roeder

Judge Leon Fox

July 5, 2010

Jerry and I were colleagues, roommates and close friends at Niles West in the early 1960's. We took many summer trips across the country, often stopping to explore one or another of the hundreds of historical sites he loved so much. He will be missed by all of us; he was a giant among educators -- an inspiration to his students. My condolences to his family and all who loved and admired him

Robert Wolf

July 5, 2010

For the Depths,

Of what use

Is language.

--- Edgar Lee Masters . . . "Silence"

Sue Masaracchia-Roberts

July 5, 2010

Sincerest condolences to David, Jessica and their families. My late first husband had your dad as a teacher at Niles West and always cited how much he learned from him. I knew him from activities at the same school, but mostly from his association with your mom, who WAS my teacher. Our hearts go out to you both. He was a GREAT man and teacher and will be greatly missed.

Joe Brennan

July 4, 2010

Jerry was a very special colleague and the epitome of a life long learner. Even late in his career at Niles West, he was eager and enthusiastic about ways that technology could serve primary source research and its sharing. I can't think of a more fitting tribute to him than having DonorsChoose.org as the beneficiary of his memorial gifts. I will also fondly remember him as my mentor "stage-father" when our son began his professional career at a young age.

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