King-Lynk Funeral Home obituary - John E. Boeddeker, 73, Virginia

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John E. Boeddeker, 73, of Falls Church, Virginia, passed away on May 25, 2021, at Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

   He was born December 20, 1947, in Ft. Madison, Iowa, to Leo and Doris Six Boeddeker.  He graduated from Nauvoo-Colusa High School in 1965 and joined the United States Army in March 1966.  He was a member of both the 82nd and 101st Airborne.  He served as a radio operator in Vietnam, but he preferred being referred to as a paratrooper who made 80 jumps. 

He assisted with crowd control during the inauguration of Jimmy Carter.John was Master Sergeant for the 3rd US Infantry (TOG)that served at the United Nations Honor Guard Company in South Korea.While in the military, he served honorably and with distinction. He received many commendations during his military career rising to the high rank of E8.

   After retiring from the military, he worked for the Department of Agriculture and the United States Patent and Trademark Office.  He earned a Master’s Degree in both Psychology and Education.  He was an adjunct professor teaching not only at Quantico Marine Base, but also at several colleges and universities including Webster University, Trinity College, Averite College, Lake Forest College, Georgetown University and George Mason University.  John was an excellent teacher who had a gift for exceptional clarity in his classroom lectures. He was respected and appreciated by his students. From numerous students whom he taught over the years, he received many outstanding reviews. 

   John enjoyed traveling, going to the theatre, and listening to lectures, especially those of authors speaking at the Smithsonian Institution.  (He even liked lecturing outside of the classroom!) He enjoyed all of the activities that living in the city afforded him. His greatest joy in life was following the New York Yankees.   John liked animals, and took meticulous care of his pets, especially of his dogs (Sport and Sport 2) and his rabbits (Trooper, Dusty and Buddy). 

John kept in touch with many people with whom he served over the years. Blessed are those who were in that circle of friends.

John is survived by one sister, Sharon (Mike) Wood of Niota, Illinois; one niece, Tami (Jamie) Kaminski and her children, Kayla, Katie and Cooper (or Connor asJohn liked to call him), of Dallas City, Illinois.He is also survived by a specialfriend, Dr. Barbara Baker, of Silver Spring, Maryland.He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Bree.

The graveside service will be held on Friday, June 4, 2021 at 1 PM in Appanoose Cemetery, Niota, IL with military rites conducted by the Hancock County Honor Guard.King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family and online condolences may be left atwww.kinglynk.com

Falls Church, John E. Boeddeker, King-Lynk Funeral Home, obituary, Pen City Current, Virgina