COL Richard William Boes, US Army, Ret.

COL Richard William Boes, US Army, Ret., 90, of Wake Forest passed away peacefully on Monday morning, March 6, 2023, at Atria Oakridge. COL Boes was born in Toledo, Ohio to the late Simon Jacob Boes and Gertrude Therese Kessler Boes. 

Dick was the youngest of twelve brothers and sisters, raised and educated at Catholic schools in Toledo, Ohio, with family stories and friendships that he recalled fondly in later years. He graduated in 1957 from the University of Detroit with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and in 1958, was commissioned as a 2nd LT in the US Army. 

Dick married the love of his life, Mary Ann Janosik, in 1960, and they began their adventures together with a military assignment in Germany – Babenhausen, then Stuttgart. In 1965, Dick was assigned to the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Operations Research Analysis. They had two sons – Christopher was born in Monterey, CA, and Jonathan was born a few years later when they were posted to Ft. Bragg. As a family, they were tight-knit, moving around frequently, but they also maintained a very close connection with the Winkelmann family and shared many holidays and vacations together. 

Dick was a career Army officer with 30 years of dedicated service to the nation.  His military assignments included two tours of duty in Vietnam, service in Germany with the 7th Army; Commander of the 1st Battalion 39th Field Artillery 18th Airborne Corps in Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Inspector General and Chief of Strategic Operations Division with the Defense Communications Agency at The Pentagon. His personal awards included: the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars for Meritorious Achievement in Ground Operations Against Hostile Forces in Vietnam, two Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, three Overseas Service Ribbons, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross and Parachutist Wings. 

After retiring from the Army, Dick became the Chief of Solid Waste Recycling for Fairfax County, VA where he joked about being the “Head Sh** Kicker” of Fairfax County. 

During their assignments to North Carolina, the Boes family discovered Topsail Island, and Dick and Mary eventually bought a vacation home there to enjoy with family and friends. In addition to his family, Dick loved animals and was adored by his four-legged friends – Patches, Blackie, Cinder, Boots, Goldie, Charlie, and Akita, to name a few.  As an avid historian, Dick devoted countless hours to family research, delving into his genealogy and assisting others with their research. He was an active and devout church member who loved music. He will also be remembered fondly for his dry humor and his colorful language. 

Dick held many titles during his 90 years including: Little Brother, Altar Boy, College Boy, Soldier, Commander, Colonel, Uncle Dick, Dad, Pops, and finally Grandpa.  Of all his titles, the one he cherished the most was Grandpa. 

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at one o’clock, Friday, March 10, 2023 at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 520 W Holding Ave, Wake Forest, NC 27587. Inurnment was held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. 

COL Boes is survived by his sons, CDR Chris Boes (USCG Ret) & wife Lorie of Houma, LA, and Dr. Jonathan Boes & wife Aimee of Raleigh; granddaughters, Carolyn Mary Boes & Kathryn Elisabeth Boes both of Houma, LA, and Elizabeth Corinne Boes & Emilia Annamaria Boes both of Raleigh; sister-in-law and her family, Helen Winkelmann of Gettysburg, PA; extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Ann Janosik Boes and eleven siblings. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Sisters of Notre Dame Donate – Sisters of Notre Dame U.S.A. (sndusa.org). 

Friends may visit with the family from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday evening, March 9, 2023 at Clancy Strickland Wheeler Funeral Home, 1051 Durham Road, Wake Forest, NC 27587 (919-556-7400). 

www.cswfuneralhome.com