Richard “Rick” Boots

Richard “Rick” Boots

Lisbon

Richard “Rick” Boots was born on March 10, 1954, to Richard and Pauline Boots at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, California. His early life was marked by a strong sense of duty and service, traits he carried with him throughout his life.

Rick graduated from Linn-Mar High School in 1972 and soon after joined the U.S. Navy in September of the same year. Following boot camp, he attended Hospital Corps School at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego. After completing his training, Rick was stationed at the Naval Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia, for nine months. He was then transferred to Camp Pendleton, California, where he completed Fleet Marine Force training. Soon after, he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, serving with the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines for 13 months. During this time, he participated in two notable Vietnam operations: Frequent Wind and Eagle Pull. Rick honorably concluded his service at Camp Pendleton, California, and was discharged in 1976.

Upon leaving the military, Rick embarked on a career in emergency medical services. In 1976, he joined Area Ambulance Service in Cedar Rapids as a certified EMT. In 1980, he earned his certification as an EMT/Paramedic. One of his proudest professional achievements came in 1986 when he helped organize one of Iowa’s first Critical Incident Stress Debriefing teams for first responders. Rick served as co-coordinator of the team until his retirement in 2009. Never one to remain idle, after retiring, he pursued his love for photography, working as a semi-professional photographer, specializing in portraits of high school seniors and families. For five years, he was also the official photographer for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders Hockey team.

In 1988, Rick joined the Marion Fire Department as a career paramedic and firefighter. He continued to build on his expertise, earning a Fire Science Certificate from Kirkwood Community College and later teaching various fire safety and hazardous waste classes there.

Rick had a rich family life. He had a son and a daughter from previous marriages when he married Maureen Brown in 1991. They built a life together in Lisbon, Iowa where he welcomed the role of father to her three daughters. Rick was a life member of several veterans’ organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the American Association of Navy Hospital Corpsmen. He also took pride in his involvement with the American Legion Post 298 in Marion, Iowa, and the National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library. Throughout his life, Rick was deeply committed to his community, volunteering his time and talents generously across numerous organizations.

Rick was so much more than his career and accomplishments. He was a loving son, brother, father, and grandfather, always generous with his time and full of love for his family and friends. Rick was a man of many talents and passions. He had a deep love for photography and videography, woodworking, gardening (particularly his cherished bonsais), painting, mechanical work, and was an avid fisherman. His varied interests also extended to demolition derbies, storm chasing, and being an active member in the organizations he loved. Rick’s enthusiasm for life shone brightly during the holidays, especially Halloween, where he would go all out with decorations and took the time to create Christmas magic for everyone around him.

After a short battle with illness, Rick passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones. He leaves behind many cherished memories.

Rick is survived by his parents, Richard and Pauline Boots of Marion, Iowa; his children, Richard (Jenny) DeJong of Smithville, Missouri, and Nicole Boots of Waterloo, Iowa; his stepdaughters, Angela (Shane) Williams of Bronson, Iowa, Rebecca Brown of Cedar Rapids, and Sara Brecht of Hiawatha; three grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, and three step-great-grandchildren; and his four brothers, Alan (Cheri) Boots of Florida, William (Teresa) Boots of Letts, Iowa, and David and Steven (Amee) Boots of Marion, Iowa. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Diane (Gary) Novak, Marietta (Brian) Sippy, Teresa (Pat) McDonald, Barb and Stacy Boston; brothers-in-law, William L. (Stacey) Boston, Benedict Boston, and Merritt Robertson; along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 32 years, Maureen Boston Boots; his brothers-in-law, Daniel and Francis Boston; his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Robertson; and many aunts and uncles.

Rick’s presence will be deeply missed, but his memory will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at the Cedar Memorial Chapel Stateroom. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. Interment will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

A livestream of the funeral service may be accessed on the funeral home website under the obituary for Richard “Rick” Boots, under the video tab starting at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 31, 2024.

Online condolences are welcome at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.