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Paul Boecker Obituary

Boecker, Paul H. "Bud" Died peacefully with his family at his side August 14, 2011. He was born September 9, 1931 in Aurora, IL. He was a graduate of Lincoln Jr. College and North Central College with B.S. degree in Business. Paul Boecker started as a firefighter in Naperville, IL in 1952 and joined the Lisle Fire Department as Fire Chief in 1971.Chief Boecker helped turn the volunteer department into a full-time fire department and grew the department to be the first Fire District to be ISO class 1 in the United States. Chief Boecker created dignity from devastation by organizing a response team of fire chiefs to assist in firefighters funerals that hit local fire departments too frequently. On a national level, Chief Boecker served as chairman of the Emergency Management Committee of the International Association of Fire Chiefs for 14 years. He is the author of "Common Sense Disaster Management Think Big!" program presented at numerous state fire schools.Chief Boecker would go anywhere to help anyone. His quick wit, and commanding presence, made him a popular public speaker- whether it was as field master of ceremonies for the nations largest one-day fire school " Monroe Fire School" in Monroe, WI. Chief Boecker served as Master of Ceremonies for eight years for the IAFC's Officers Installation Banquet.Chief Boecker was committed to education in fire service. He was a charter member of the National Advisory Committee for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Integrate Emergency Management System and served as an adjunct faculty member of the Emergency Management Institute at the National Fire Academy. He served as Technical Consultant for three Federal Emergency Management Manuals including "Disaster Planning Guidelines for Fire Chiefs"Chief Boecker was the first fire chief to serve six years as Chairman of the Executive Board of the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) in its 59 years. He also was the Association's representative to the Congressional Fire Services in Washington DC and the joint Council of National Fire Service organizations.In May of 2000, Chief Boecker was named the 2nd recipient of the Mason Lankford Fire Service Leadership award, which was presented to him by the speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert, at the National Fire and Emergency Services dinner in Washington, D.C.On July 2, 2004 he retired from the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District and was named Fire Chief Emeritus. In 2005, the Trustees dedicated Fire Station No. 1 and its headquarters to Fire Chief Emeritus Boecker. He is survived by his wife Sonja J. (nee Sinclair) of Lisle, IL his sons Paul H. (Nancy) Boecker III of Oswego, Il and Alex J. "AJ" (Krissie) of Westmont, IL. Grandchildren Paul H. IV John J. and Alex J. Jr. His sister Ann S. Boecker of Naperville, IL. He was Preceded in death by his parents Paul H. and Mariam (nee Morgan) Boecker. Visitation will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1101 Kimberly Way, Lisle, IL Thursday August 18, 2011 from 2:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. with fire department honor guard service at 7:00 P.M. Additional visitation will be Friday from 9:00 A.M. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be in the Naperville Cemetery. Memorials preferred to 100 Club of DuPage Co., Little Friends, Inc. IL. Fire Chiefs Educational & Research Foundation or International Fire Chiefs Association Foundation. Services are being handled by the Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Home & Crematory, 516 S. Washington St. Naperville, IL.Info (630) 355-0264. www.beidelmankunsch.com

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on Aug. 16, 2011.
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Memories and Condolences
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AJ,
I was sitting hear reading the paper when I read of the passing of your father. I am so very sorry for your loss. I have always admired your father. I have often thought about him as well as your family and have always wished all of you well. Please know that I am keeping you and your family in my prayers, especially during this difficult time.

Karen DeGroot-Griffin

August 23, 2011

As a young, fairly new Deputy in the early "70s I was assigned to handle that horrible accident involving the fire truck at Rt.59 and what is now E. New York St. Bud was there and had witnessed the accident. He pretty much stayed with me that day and assisted in getting all the information together. I'll never forget his help and kindness and the compassion he showed toward all of those touched by that tragedy. I continued to run into him during my career and he could always be counted on for assistance.
God Bless You, Bud!

Gene Norby

August 23, 2011

Alex, I am very sorry to hear about your dad's passing.He was a great guy and a hero of the community.Plz contact me at 773 213-9924 if I can do anything or if you need someone to talk to . John J Justice

john justice

August 22, 2011

Bud Boecker was one of my idols as a young boy. He was several years older than I am but was always so cordial and fun to be around. He called me cousin Don. Later in our lives, he was in Washington, DC, at a Firemen's Convention as President. We got together and I set up a tour of the Pentagon for Bud. He was so appreciative that each time I returned to Naperville, we talked about that visit. I send my sincerest sympathy to Sonja and family over this great loss to Naperville and Lisle. Bud was a WONDERFUL man and friend. Don Boecker, RADM USN (RET) Sun Valley, Idaho

Don Boecker

August 22, 2011

Bud was my childhood hero, and still is.
Growing up 2 houses from the old Naperville station, i was a frequent visitor. Bud always treated the neighborhood kids with respect and joy.
He would aften invite my family down to watch training films with the rest of the department.
When I was four, i remember going to watch a barn fire, wearing my raincoat, a toy fire helmet and holding a piece of garden hose. Bud saw me and yelled out "guys, Freddies here, lets put out this fire."
When I tried to volunteer my senior year in high school, Bud told me I wasn't tall enough, but steered my to Civil Defense, where I served for 15 years.
God Bless Bud and his family

Fred Orcutt

August 19, 2011

My deepest sympathy to the Boecker family.Paul was truly larger than life. He was always so kind & fun to be around and he will be greatly missed.

Marnel Wedeman

August 19, 2011

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Greg, Donna and Kristina Kuhn

August 19, 2011

My heartfelt sympathy to the Boecker family. Paul always made everyone around him feel really special. He will be missed.

Mary Starke

August 19, 2011

My heartfelt sympathy to the Boecker family. Paul was a wonderful and

kind person. He will be missed by all who knew him. When you thought

fire department, Paul always came to mind.

Alice Trierweiler
Naperville

August 18, 2011

My prayers are with Sonja and her family, Paul was a great person and a great chief, I was proud to have served under his command.
Pat Murphy (Bolingbrook, IL)

August 18, 2011

My deepest sympathies to the Boecker family. May God bless all of you during this time of sorrow.

Sandy Enright

August 17, 2011

Sincere prayers for Paul and his family. Few people know it but this guy was instrumental in laying the ground work for and guiding both the NFD and L/W FPD to being the top notch departments they are today. I will always remember riding my bike around town as a kid in the 60's; when ever there was an emergency it was always Paul or Arnie all over it like right now. In good times at parades to the bad times when our firemen were killed and injured on 59, Paul was there. He was a faithful servant of we citizens and it was his nature. Thank you to his family because I am certain there were many times you sacrificed your time with him because duty was called by us. May god bless you.

Mark Eriksen

August 16, 2011

My deepest sympathy to Sonja & the entire Boecker family. Paul was a great Fire Chief, a wounderful human being and a huge influence on the careers of many people within the fire service.

Chuck Kramer D/C retired AHFD

August 16, 2011

Chief Boecker was a very good friend of our family. I remember growing up in Lisle, visiting the Fire Station, and Chief Boecker being so friendly!! God's Peace to Chief Boecker's family.

Bobbi Seaton-Mertens

August 16, 2011

Bud's station was the first responder to an accent I was in while riding to school in a bus back in the mid 80's. One of his paramedics took note that my last name was Boecker. I'm sure everyone they helped got nothing but superb care, but, after it was discovered I was Bud's second cousin, I was queen of the ambulance . (As a 13 year old girl, you can imagine how quickly I forgot about my pain!) He greeted me at the hospital and kept me laughing until I was discharged. What a special man he was. This earth is a better place because he graced us all with his presence.

Carey Boecker-Peterson

August 16, 2011

Bud's station was the first responders to an accent I was in while riding to school in a bus back in the mid 80's. One of his paramedics took note that my last name was Boecker. I'm sure everyone they helped got nothing but superb care

Carey Boecker - Peterson

August 16, 2011

Our families shared a duplex on Ellsworth St. I was young, but remember what great neighbors you were.
My deepest sympathy to Sonja & family.

Karen Hageman/Allen

August 16, 2011

Bud was a friend from kindergarten. We had a truly outstanding l school relationship, and the fun we had as REDSKINS...was outstanding. He really made life wonderful for so many with his brilliant work with the fire departments. He was always trying to improve people from his earliest days in school...a true leader. Remember all he taught, the great times. we enjoyed. ..we'll be together with our Lord and he's already preparing to greet us.

Harry Wright

August 16, 2011

Paul, Nancy and boys,
Please know that our love and prayers are with you during this difficult time. What remarkable achievements he had in his lifetime and how proud you must be to have been able to call this man your father and grandfather! His distinquished career and his lifetime of dedication to his vocation has touched the lives of many and will continue to make a difference so his legacy will live on forever. May God grant you peace and comfort in the days ahead. With our deepest sympathy, Crystal, William, Faith, Brice and Connor Robinson

Crystal Robinson

August 16, 2011

My thoughts and prayers are with you, Paul, and your family. I will always remember how pleasant and kind your dad was. May God bless him.

August 16, 2011

In 1970, Chief Boecker went way out on a limb to allow a small crew of Explorer Scouts form a brand new Boy Scout Explorer Post attached to the Fire-Rescue Squad in Naperville. I was one of those young lads. His trust in us was never forgotten, and we never made a mistake in breaching that trust. There were many life-lessons learned by us boys while participating in the squad. A great presence of a man has been lost but surely never forgotten. My deepest condolences and prayers to his family. Bruce Lanphear, DuPage Airport

August 16, 2011

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