Obituary for Carl Boehm

Carl A. Boehm, age 89, left this world peacefully February 27, 2024, after living with Alzheimer’s for 12 years. He was surrounded by the love of his family and the wonderful staff at Danbury of Westerville who truly loved and cared for him. He was born October 21, 1934, to the late Virgil J. Boehm and Esther Althauser Boehm of Westerville.

Carl was a 1952 graduate of Westerville High School where he was a 4-year French Horn-playing band member, and a 4-year Future Farmers of America (FFA) member, holding the offices of Assistant Secretary, Reporter, Secretary, and President.

Carl continued his education at The Ohio State University, where he became a lifelong member of Alpha Gamma Rho. He received his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education and his Master of Education, which led him to a fulfilling career of teaching what he loved to others.  

Carl’s 31 years of teaching began in 1957 in Belmont County at Barnesville High School for 6 years, then to Union Local High School for 4 more years.  During his time in Barnesville, he met his wife, Carol Lee. He brought her and their two children back to Westerville where he joined the Vocational Agriculture Staff at Westerville High School in 1967, working with one of his great mentors, Glenn Griffith.  After Glenn retired, Carl became head of the Vocational Agricultural Department.  Carl was chosen by the WEA as Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 1977.  In 1978, out of more than 700 teachers state-wide, he was chosen as Ohio Vo-Ag Teacher’s Association Teacher of the Year!

What made Carl’s 31-year career different than most teachers is that he spent his summers on group and individual student projects such as cattle and sheep raising, gardening, county fair competitions, FFA booths at the Ohio State Fair, community projects, and multiple field trips to the FFA convention in Kansas City and to the Smoky Mountains. During his entire busy career teaching in Westerville, Carl also helped almost every day on his parent’s farm with all things farming. This included herding cattle that had mysteriously opened the gates and escaped, and up-righting ‘tipped’ cattle at all hours, activities that increased when WNHS opened… directly across the road.

Throughout his life, Carl was involved with many activities and organizations, his church life being most important.  He grew up attending Grace Lutheran Church, eventually becoming a Sunday school teacher.  He continued teaching Sunday school as a member of First Methodist Church in Barnesville, and back in Westerville, at Central College Presbyterian Church. Here, he was also an Elder, Bible School teacher, Bible School themes and visuals creator, and a very active participant in God’s Garden (making the church grounds beautiful), Men’s Bible Study, Couple’s Small Group, and adult Sunday school.

Other organizations Carl was involved in:

• Member and first Chairman of Westerville Shade Tree Commission
• Hunter Safety Teacher for Ohio Hunter Education
• Member of Ducks Unlimited where Carl received a Distinguished Service Award in 1989 for outstanding contributions for the cause of waterfowl conservation and wildlife programs.
• Member of the Delaware Range & Big Walnut Conservation Clubs
• Member of Inniswood Garden Society, where he served as president for 2 ½ years.
• C.A.R.T. Member since 2004 and Volunteer of the Year in 2014
• Member since 1967 of the Mason’s Grand Lodge of F & AM of Ohio, Friendship Lodge No. 89

While retired from teaching and still highly active in so many areas, Carl also worked for DJ’s Feed Store and Vance’s Outdoor Gun Shop, in keeping with his love of animals and conservation. He was also a gardener, photographer, wood worker, and all-around jack of all trades.

To this day, many students and parents have taken the time to let Carl’s family know what a huge impact Carl made in their (child’s) life.  These moments meant more to Carl than any awards he ever received.  He never gave up on a student; he believed in their abilities, and always found their good qualities. While sorting through papers, we found letters of gratitude and thanks to Carl that none of us had ever seen!

Carl was a dedicated and impactful teacher, as well as a kind, patient and loving husband, father, father-in-law, papa, son, son-in-law, uncle, brother, brother-in-law, and friend to many. He was a giver in every sense of the word, always offering his help.  Need to know what kind of tree, plant, weed, or critter was in your yard? Just ask!  And if he didn’t know, he had a reference book for that! He could also probably recite most of The Lion King or other Disney movies, as he would sit for as long as his granddaughter wanted to watch them, over and over and over again. He was a little ornery and funny, he loved his comic strips, and he never said no to a slice of pie or a scoop of homemade ice cream! 

He continued showing his kindness and his funny personality to the end, even when he was no longer able to communicate clearly. He would often tell you something, then laugh. You couldn’t help but laugh with him!  He was almost always humming or singing a tune (often a hymn), bopping down the halls, and you couldn’t help but sing and bop with him!

Carl is survived by his wife, Carol, of 65 wonderful years of marriage, son Bill (Laurie) Boehm of Florida, daughter Susan (Kevin) Beierle, granddaughter, favorite person and namesake Carlee Beierle, sister-in-law Susie Morris of Newark, nieces Linda Crothers-Hurst and Sherry (Rick) Stutzman, nephews Fred (Sheryl) Sorrell, Gary (Janet) Sorrell, great nieces and nephews and great-grand nieces and nephews.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law Erma and Bill Sorrell, brother-in-law Virgil Morris, and Cousin Derrell Althauser who was like a brother.

A big thank you to the caring staff at Danbury of Westerville for all the love and support to Carl and his family, and to the wonderful Capital City Hospice staff, who make the inevitable easier.

A celebration of life will be held for Carl on April 13^th, 2024, at Central College Presbyterian Church, 875 South Sunbury Road, Westerville, OH 43081.  Visiting hours are 9:30 to 11:00 A.M, service at 11:00 AM, and a luncheon after.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Alzheimer’s Association of Central Ohio, Inniswood Garden Society (one of Carl’s favorite places), or a charity of your choice.