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Boers, Barclay

Barclay Robert Boers, age 68, of Amherst Junction, passed away at home on February 2, 2018 after a courageous battle with amiodarone-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Barclay “Bob” was born April 22, 1949 in Evanston, IL, the son of Robert and Jane Boers (Knapstein). He grew up in Elmhurst, IL and spent summers in Waupaca on the Chain o’ Lakes where he later came to live year round. He attended three years at UWSP studying Earth Sciences of geography, geology and meteorology before enlisting in US Air Force as a Command and Control Systems Specialist, attaining the rank of Sergeant during the Vietnam conflict before receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1976. He returned to Waupaca where, at age 28, met the love of his life, Debbie Danielson. They married on Dec. 23, 1978 in the home of Adelyn Danielson where their “elopement” surprised both Boers and Danielson families attending a Christmas party by inviting a minister. They enjoyed 40 happy years together in their beautiful “box in the woods” surrounded by love, laughter and nature. While growing up in Elmhurst, IL, he developed two lifelong passions. He would visit a public conservatory near his home where he developed an interest in tropical plants at an early age. Secondly, Elmhurst had three major railroads nearby which created his mesmerizing curiosity in trains. After his military service, he pursued a career in the railroad industry starting with Chicago & Northwestern Railway at Green Bay in Signals Dept, moving to Stevens Point to work for the Soo Line RR, Wisconsin Central RR and Canadian National RR in Transportation as brakeman, conductor, retiring in 2007 after 11 years as a RR Dispatcher in Stevens Point with a total of 28 years of RR service. Barclay was a loyal, trustworthy husband and friend with a reputation of integrity. Due to his remarkably diverse self-education with superb recall, he was known as a “walking encyclopedia” and could talk factual details about any subject. Jeopardy was his favorite TV show and could often out-match the contestants. He enjoyed a good game of sheepshead, as well as fishing, storm-chasing, horticulture, hunting and swimming his dogs. He was an avid collector of exotic orchids, owning prized cymbidium orchids envied by growers / collectors in California. Barclay has authored expert articles in the Official Publication of the Cymbidium Society of America.

He will be deeply missed by his wife Debbie; one daughter Marcia Buege, Rosholt; three grandchildren, Kyle Bemowski, NY, Serenity Hackl, Rosholt, Izaak Buege, Rosholt; three great-grandchildren, Kallie Jo Kiggins, Junction City, with Konnor and Kolton Bemowski, NY. He is also survived by his mother, Jane (Knapstein) Boers, Waupaca; three brothers, Barry, Jupiter, FL, Bradley, Kent, CT, Baxter Boers, St. Georges, UT; one sister, Barbara (Craig) Lane, Waupaca; aunt Mary (Knapstein) Hanson, CA; many nieces and nephews; as well as his beloved labrador retrievers, Boxcar Willie and Magnum Maggie. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert P. Boers and his aunt Ruth (Knapstein) Johnson.

Inurnment will be at the Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery at King, WI. A celebration of his life with graveside Military Honors will be scheduled for close family and friends in the spring.

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