Robert Boe

1931 - 2014

Robert Gene Boe, 83, died Wednesday, December 17, 2014, at his home in Durango, Colorado, after a lengthy struggle with cancer. A memorial service will be held Monday, January 5, 2015, at 10:00 am at First United Methodist Church in Durango, with a reception to follow at the church. Chaplain David Clark of Hospice of Mercy will be officiating.

Known to his friends as "Bob," he was born August 12, 1931 in Elgin, Illinois, the son of George William Boe II and Ada Shales Boe. He graduated from high school in 1949, and served in the Air Force during the Korean War years, which included time stationed in Morocco.

Shortly after his return from military service, he met Lillian Vaisvil, an elementary school teacher from Chicago, Illinois. The couple were married December 27, 1958, in Chicago, and had three children.

Mr. Boe attended Northwestern University, where he received a BA in psychology in 1960. He then attended the University of Chicago, where he received his MSW (Master of Social Work) degree in 1962, which was followed by several years working at the State Hospital in Elgin.

In 1968, the Boe family moved to Durango, Colorado, where Mr. Boe served for more than a decade as the Executive Director of the Southwest Colorado Mental Health Center, along with subsequent work with the mentally ill, and as a practicing social worker.

After retirement, Mr. Boe continued working as an on-call counselor with the mental health center, and he began serving as a Field Internship Liaison with the University of Denver graduate extension school, supervising and advising MSW students in the local area.

During his career, he was recognized on a number of occasions for his contributions to the field, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Colorado Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, and the Field Agency Award from the University of Denver.

Among his interests, Mr. Boe enjoyed traveling, attending the theater, and playing duplicate bridge at the Durango Senior Center. He was a passionate reader, he took pleasure in cooking, and he enjoyed gatherings with family members. He will be remembered for his hearty laugh, his dry sense of humor, and his very caring personality.

Mr. Boe is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lillian Boe of Durango; sister Barbara Boe Yurs of Shipshewana, Indiana; brother George William Boe III of Pearland, Texas; children David Boe of Marquette, Michigan; Elaine Boe Loring of Iowa Falls, Iowa; and Laura Boe-Creech of Durango; and three grandchildren and two step-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, we invite you to make a memorial contribution to a charity of your choice.