Rev. Richard John Boeck, Jr., age 70, of Chilton, WI, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, on March 27, 2023 at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was born May 13, 1952 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to the late Richard J. Sr. and Renate M. (Ost) Boeck. 
 
Rick had a love for learning and enjoyed sharing that knowledge with others. Most importantly, he had a passion and desire for everyone to hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
At the age of 14, Rick decided to become a pastor and he attended high school and junior college at Concordia, Milwaukee, going on to the senior college in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  He entered the seminary in Springfield, Illinois, served his vicarage in the Canal Zone in Panama, and completed his seminary training at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN. Following his ordination in 1978, Rick was installed as pastor at his first church, serving a dual parish at Trinity Lutheran Church, Plentywood, Montana and Fortuna, North Dakota.
 
In service to his Lord and his country, Rick proudly enlisted in the United States Navy as a chaplain.  During a reserves training weekend, he met his wife, Susan Dodge in Billings, Montana where Susan was teaching at Trinity Lutheran school.  Rick and Susan were married July 5, 1980 at Zion Lutheran Church in Belleville, Illinois and went on to raise a family of 7 children.  
 
Shortly after Rick and Susan were married, Rick began his active military service as a chaplain in the Navy.  He was stationed in San Diego, California for 4 years and then moved to Orlando, Florida where he served as chaplain at the Naval Hospital for a year.  Rick then returned to civilian life and accepted a call to be the pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Des Moines, Iowa.  Rick was called back to active duty to serve overseas during Desert Storm.  Upon his return, he moved his family to Milwaukee, where he served as interim pastor in various congregations over the years, worked at Wisconsin Memorial Park, for Lutheran Brotherhood, and served as a Blue and Gold Officer for the US Naval Academy. He also wrote online devotions for college students which later expanded to a broader audience. In 2010, Rick was called to be the Pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Horicon, WI, and he retired in 2018.  
 
Rick’s powerful voice was heard over the years performing barbershop, singing in church, and proudly belting out the National Anthem at his kid’s sporting events, where he served as announcer. While his children attended Milwaukee Lutheran High School, he also served as President of the booster club.
 
In his retirement, Rick enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, fishing from his grandpa’s boat, attending pastor conferences, and was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hilbert, WI.  He also served as chaplain of the Calumet County Republican Party and continued to preach the gospel until his last days.   
 
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Susan Boeck, children: Renee Boeck, Matthew (Devin Day) Boeck, Katherine Boeck, Stephanie Boeck, Jonathan Boeck, Lizzie Boeck, Marion Boeck and fiancé Dwane James; grandchildren:  Sophia, Austin, Bobby, Jeremiah, and Elijah; sisters:  Sherry (Tim) Scheid, Cindy Durk, and Annette (Joe) Fanara; brother, Rev. Tom (Sharon) Boeck; brother-in-law, Rev. Chris (Jan) Dodge and 14 nieces and nephews, 24 great nieces and nephews, and 4 great-great nieces and nephews. 
 
Rick was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Renee Marie Boeck, and great-great niece, Skylar Renate Brown.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hilbert (N6081 W River Rd., Hilbert, WI) with Rev. Brett Simek officiating.  A time for visitation will be on Monday, April 3, 2023 from 4:00 PM -7:00 PM at Wieting Family Funeral Home (411 W Main St., Chilton, WI) and on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 from 9:00 AM until 10:45 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church.  Those wishing to watch an archived recording, view a memorial video of Rick, or view photos of flowers and gifts given to the family may do so by clicking HERE. 

A memorial fund has been established in the name of Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr.