Obituary of Richard Farrar Boleen

Following a brief illness, Richard F Boleen of Pensacola, Florida passed away Sunday June 11, 2023 at
Willlowbrook Nursing Home, Azalea Trace Retirement Community.  He is preceded in death by his wife,
Mary Lou Boleen (Darnell) and is survived by his two sons; Kevin and Dena Boleen of Anchorage, Alaska;
Keith and Katherine Boleen of Pace, Florida; three grandchildren, Nathan Boleen of Anchorage, Alaska,
Amy and Conner Rogan of Kodiak, Alaska and Hannah and Jared Eavey of Chesapeake, Virginia. He has
three great-grandchildren:  Amelia Rogan, Lucas Rogan and Laird Eavey.
Dick, as he is known by family and friends, was born in Moline, Illinois to Gilbert and Ursla Boleen
(Farrar) on August 13, 1932.  A graduate of East Peoria High School and Bob Jones University, Dick was
an accountant his entire life.  He and Mary Lou moved to Pensacola from Ohio in 1976 when he became
the Accounting Manager for Lewis Bear Grocers.  In the early 90’s Richard became an auditor for the
Howard Schultz Accounting firm. This gave an opportunity for regular travel and meeting lots of new
people and broader application of his detailed accounting skills.  He was active in the Azalea Trace
community as Resident Council President and the Hobby Shop Treasurer. 
Dick loved working with computers and used them widely in his accounting work.  Embracing computer
technology early in his accounting career, adding machines and paper detail binders were replaced by
floppy disks and the whirling of computer drives hard at work. His favorite place was the study, sitting at
his desk surrounded by good music and a well-ordered filing system. He and Mary Lou enjoyed traveling
the United States and occasionally abroad, but always looked forward to coming home to Pensacola.
Though not a Navy veteran, Dick volunteered regularly at the Pensacola Naval Aviation Museum in
Hanger 2. An avid Blue Angels fan, he enjoyed the precision, attention to detail and excellence of naval
aviation.  He was a dog-lover as well.  In the 70’s and 80’ he and Mary Lou were active with the
Pensacola Dog Fanciers Club with their Saint Bernard Angie and Maggie the Cocker Spaniel.  Later in life,
and no longer showing dogs, they had Gus, Jigger and Mercy as their constant King Charles Cavalier
Spaniel companions.
Dick will be remembered for his quiet strength and caring nature, a man capable at managing large
volumes of detail in a precise and well-organized fashion.  His clear, sharp eyed gaze and thoughtful
expression will be remembered fondly by his sons, family, and friends.

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