Richard (Rick) Dale Boehler, 56, passed away July 31, 2013, at his home in Clarkston. He was born July 23, 1957, to Richard Boehler and Marlene (Roberts) Boehler in Sandpoint, Idaho. He attended school in Orofino and then later in Lewiston. His family moved around the Northwest before settling in Orofino for four years. They then moved to Lewiston when he was in the third grade and stayed there until he was in the 11th grade. He then traveled around working in the Tri-Cities before meeting Melanie Shute in January 1982 in Kennewick. They were married June 27, 1982, in Colstrip, Mont.
Rick worked as a journeyman cement finisher for 23 years. He first worked in Kennewick for 10 years, then moved to Clarkston in 1990 and worked in this occupation until 2006. He then went to work for WATCO Railroad where he became an engineer/conductor; his last day on this job was July 12, 2013.
He grew up in the Lutheran Church and also attended the Assembly of God church. He was an avid fisherman and loved to be on the water. He taught his children to waterski and roller skate because God knows his wife couldn't. She was able to help them with learning to swim and riding a bike.
He is survived by his wife, Melanie Boehler; son Ricky Boehler and Ally Alexander; daughter Larissa and Terry Bailey; grandchildren Kenisha and Laurelie Bailey, Angelina, Michael, Drake, Aiden and Landon Boehler; mother Marlene Boehler; brothers Allen Boehler, Tim and Chris Boehler and Donald and Andrea Boehler; niece and nephew Anna and Joshua Boehler; aunt and uncle Raymond and Carolyn Beierle; cousins Rhonda and Jay Shafer, Rod Beierle and Faron Beierle; second cousin Collin Shafer; and good friends Neil P., Michael H., Brad K., Tommy, Mac M., Steve M., Steve W., and Kevin and Sue W., Marc H., Karen E., Kim B., Steve H., Russell B., David H., and many others, too numerous to mention. He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Boehler; uncle Lonny Roberts; aunt Jo Ann Roberts; father-in-law Laurel Shute; mother-in-law Joy Shute; and grandparents Glenn and Dorothy Roberts.
A benefit in his honor will be held at 1 p.m. today at the Clarkston Moose Lodge. Visitation is from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday at Mountain View Funeral Home in Lewiston. A memorial service is at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Mountain View with a gathering in the community room following.
Memorial donations may be made to Mountain View Funeral Home, https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/jfr2/ricks-cancer-fund, or a charity of one's choice.
A special thanks to Tim and Terry McCarty for creating and hosting the benefit; Prestige Care and Rehab staff; Elite Hospice staff; Dr. Melanie Eggleston and staff at Valley Medical Center; Marc Hunt for helping with lodging; Ed Daily, a pastor and radio talk-show host for all his help; all his coworkers at WATCO; and all who have called, visited or prayed, during this difficult time.
