Robert “Bob” Kenneth Boehm, son of Della Angelica Barrett and James Richard Boehm of Maplewood, Mo., passed away at age 96 on Dec. 23, 2021. Though most recently living in McKinney, Texas, he was a Missourian at heart.
Bob went on his first flight at age five with Charles Lindbergh, who became his long-time hero, inspiring Bob to begin his career as a WWII pilot in the Pacific. After the war, he worked at Philco for many years, where he eventually led their national sales.
Always the entrepreneur, he went on to own and invest in many businesses, including the houseboat manufacturing start-up, Rent-A-Cruise in Florence, Ala.; The Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Ark.; Compute-A-Call; and Battlefield Ridge Estates land development in Springfield, Mo.
Bob was the proud husband to Shirley Huffman Boehm for 63 years. Wherever Bob and Shirley lived, they quickly became very active with their local church and loved getting involved in their community. They joined mission trips to China and Russia, and helped establish the Christian-based marriage support group, Marriage Encounter.
In his later life, Bob spoke at various WWII events; participated in the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.; Gary Sinise’s Soaring Valor to New Orleans; gave an oral documentary of his experience in the war; and visited schools to discuss WWII with children. He was also an avid writer, a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan, and an impressive cook, winning accolades for his homemade ice cream and delicious cherries jubilee. A hero and family man, he will be missed tremendously.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Martha Louise Barker (1932-1957); his son, Michael Scott Boehm (1954-2021); his brothers, Donald Perkins and James “Jim” Boehm, Jr.
A celebration of life will take place on May 29, at The Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Ark. Email boehmgenealogy@gmail.com for updated information.