Richard Dewes Boland

Richard Dewes Boland, age 85, of Grand Rapids, passed away Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, surrounded by his loving family.  Born on Aug. 2, 1933, in St. Louis, MO, the son of Frank C. and Margaret (Dewes) Boland was a 1951 graduate of St Louis University High School, received a B.S., Commerce/Accounting from the University of Notre Dame in 1955 and a Masters, Accounting from St. Louis University in 1964. 

After 4 years ROTC at Notre Dame he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S Air Force Reserves following graduation. He served from Oct. 19, 1955 to April 18, 1958 on active duty as an Air Force pilot and was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant. He later obtained the rank of Captain in the Inactive Reserve and was honorably discharged in 1973.

He and Lorraine McClarin, also from St. Louis, MO., met at a Junior Achievement event and eventually married June 25, 1955 in St. Louis.  While serving in the Air Force, Richard and Lorraine relocated to Florida and Arizona. They eventually returned to St. Louis after Richard’s active duty in the Air Force.  Richard completed his Masters, became a Certified Public Accountant and worked for Touche Ross Accounting firm  in St. Louis.  In 1968 he moved his family to Chagrin Falls, Ohio, where he continued working for Touche Ross.  In 1970 the family moved to Grand Rapids where he started his career with Steelcase Inc.  He retired in 1999 as the Director of Internal Audit Special Operations from Steelcase. 

Richard maintained his pilot’s license into his 80s and taught flying lessons in his retirement.  The National Association of Flight Instructors recognized him in 2017 for 24 years of Service for Professional Flight Instruction. An avid golfer, he was a member of Egypt Valley Country Club, a boater and a model train hobbyist.

Besides his parents, he is proceeded in death by his wife, Lorraine M. Boland (McClarin) of 52 years, his brother Joseph Scott Boland, sister-in-law Genevieve (Bisch) Boland, and a daughter, Pamela Boland-Skinner.  Richard is survived by his children, Michael (Bobbi) Boland, James Boland, Carol (Gregory) Johnson, Jeanne Boland, John (Sarah) Boland, Deborah Boland, Nancy (Phil) Kilcullen, Anne (Chris) Irons, 16 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, neighbors, golf buddies, Notre Dame alums, fellow airplane enthusiasts and his loving friend, Joan Vyn.  

Visitation is Friday from 4 p.m to 8 p.m. at Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Service, 4291 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Parish, 1449 Wilcox Park Dr. SE.

A private interment ceremony will follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 4100 Clyde Park Ave. SW.

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