Richard Allen Boston | obituaries

Rich was born to Frank Joseph Boston and Ruth Winifred (Briggs) Boston on March 19, 1945, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the second of five children.

Rich graduated from Lincoln High School, Des Moines, Iowa, where he enjoyed football, wrestling and track. He attended the University of Northern Iowa on a wrestling scholarship and was a football walk on. Rich was an avid learner and received a Masters degree from the University of Northern Iowa and a PhD from the University of Iowa.

Rich began his teaching career at Kennedy High School in 1967 and was then drafted into the US Army. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a recipient of the Bronze Star. He also served honorably in the Army Reserves, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Upon his return from Vietnam he taught at Wilson Middle School in Cedar Rapids until he returned to teaching at Kennedy High School until his retirement in 2001. Rich coached football, wrestling, chess and mock trial. He wrestled at the US Olympic Trials and played semi-pro football for the Cedar Rapids Rapid Raiders.

Rich enjoyed many activities Sailing, motorcycling, competitive shooting, climbing 28 ’14ers’ in Colorado, and genealogy, as well as being a Patriot Guard Rider. He was very proud of his beloved children and grandchildren. He is survived by his son, Marc (Cheryl) Haes, Colorado Springs, Colorado; daughter, Brooke (Quinten) Bennett, Wildwood, Missouri; and six grandchildren, Josephine Haes, Weimar, Germany; Trey, Kaden and Athena Haes, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Quinten and Breylen Bennett, Wildwood, Missouri. His grandchildren affectionately called him grandpa.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Stan and Jimmie Boston, and survived by his two sisters, Beverly Owens of Vancouver, Washington, and Crystal (Steve) Boyt of Des Moines, Iowa.

Interment will be at 9:30 am Friday, Aug. 12, 2022, at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel, Iowa. A gathering for family and friends will be held immediately afterwards at the American Legion Post 403, 910 Main St, Van Meter, Iowa.