In loving memory of

Richard Douglas Boyer
January 20, 1958 - October 4, 2017

RICHARD BOYER
MUSCATINE, Iowa - Richard Douglas Boyer, 59, of Muscatine, passed away on Wednesday, October 4, 2017, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.
Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 9, 2017, at the Grace Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 3 until 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, 2017, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. An educational memorial fund has been established for his future grandchildren.
Richard Douglas Boyer was born on January 20, 1958 in Britt, Iowa to Donald and Marvene (Kesten) Boyer. Rick was a 1976 graduate of Thompson Iowa High School. He attended the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and Palmer College of Chiropractic, where he graduated in 1984.
On June 16, 1984, Rick was united in marriage to Monika Bode in Forest City, Iowa. They made their home in Muscatine in 1984. To this union, three children were born - Kolton, Kaleb, and Kally.
Rick owned and operated his own chiropractic practice in Muscatine since 1985. He also taught in the science department for the Muscatine Community College for many years. Most recently, he was employed as the Associate Dean of Allied Health at Scott Community College.
Rick was a member of Grace Lutheran Church. He enjoyed woodworking, playing cards with friends, traveling, telling jokes going to movies, working outdoors, and spending time with family.
Rick will live on through his wife Monika; his sons, Kolton (Molly) Boyer of Des Moines, Kaleb Boyer of Walnut Creek, California; one daughter, Kally Boyer (fiancé Zach Jameson) of Ames, Iowa; one future grandchild. He will also live on through the lives he saved through organ donation.
Rick is also survived by his brothers Norman (Sheila) Craig, of Preston, Minnesota, Roger Boyer, of Ainsworth, Iowa; sisters Bethany (Kim) Boelman, of Huxley, Iowa, and Karla (Doug) Hills of Cedar Park, Texas; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Rick is also survived by brothers-in-laws, Bob Bode of Hampton, New Hampshire; Dennis (Keri) Bode of Orlando, Florida; and Wayne Spenner of Mt. Airy, Maryland.
He was preceded in death by both parents; his in-laws Henry and Betty Bode; and his sister-in-law, Ursula Spenner.

Tributes

Rod Peck wrote on Oct 24, 2017:

"Dr Boyer was a tremendous fellow. I first met him as a non-traditional student at Muscatine Community College in 2010. We kind of became friends then, and soon I was his chiropractic patient as well. He helped me in many many ways as a doctor and a friend. It was such a wonderful experience to be able to go visit him and be able to talk to a doctor who was also my friend. I'll always miss him and will never forget him. A wonderful human being. "

Debi Beatty wrote on Oct 10, 2017:

"My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this time. I worked at MCC with Rick and thought the world of him. He was such a fantastic and funny guy and will be greatly missed. Debi Beatty "

robert wrote on Oct 10, 2017:

"I loved Boyer, he was the sole reason I passed bio. Pour one out for the fallen..."

Sheila Allison wrote on Oct 10, 2017:

"My heart goes out to Monika, Kolton, Kaleb. and Kally at this difficult time. Doc was a wonderful man. Devastating loss for our community. Educating students was one of his passions; he made learning fun. Doc spread humor; he understood the importance of laughter. Doc had a God-given gift; one that so many of us benefitted thorough his amazing chiropractic skills. A visit with him was a one-stop, physical and emotional experience. I loved his sense of humor, and conversations would often end up with me learning something new. "

Kay Steffen wrote on Oct 8, 2017:

"I wirked with Rick for many years. I trusted and respected him. He was a genuine guy, funny and incredibly professional. He lived fully and I was fortunate to have known him."

Bryan Fessler wrote on Oct 8, 2017:

"My thoughts and prayers are with all of your family at this most difficult time. "

Dr. Lynne Trevisan wrote on Oct 8, 2017:

"I am so sorry to hear of Rick's passing. We often talked during conferences through EICC. He was always supportive of others and a gentle, kind person. He will be missed. "

Mark Adlam wrote on Oct 8, 2017:

"I knew Dr Boyer through my wife Barbara, also an instructor at MCC. I can only address him as Dr Boyer as a nod to the respect I hold for him in all ways. A fine and most gracious example of what we as humans should be. He will be remembered for his accomplishments, intelligence, humanity and grace, and missed as a friend. I am honored to have known him, if only for the briefest of time. His impact on those so lucky to have met him will continue to ripple. We have lost a dear friend but we know our friendship was dear."

Colette Hostetler wrote on Oct 8, 2017:

"My thoughts and prayers are with Monica and the rest of the family."

Terry Hogenson wrote on Oct 8, 2017:

"There are simply too many memories to list just one. Doc was one in a million. A dad who loved his children with his whole heart. A husband who loved his wife like the day they were married. A true friend who was loyal, fun and always provided a smile to those that were around him. As a chiropractor he always provided physical and emotional relief, as there was always a story or joke that went with the adjustment. I will miss the twinkle in his eye, his humor, and the way he always filled my emotional bucket. We always left the Boyer driveway with smile on our faces, waiting for the next time we'd see each other. We will always treasure our time after church at West Side having a cinnamon roll and sharing stories from the week. God bless Doc and the Boyer family. We love them all."

Linda Kelty wrote on Oct 7, 2017:

"Dr. Rick has been my chiropractor for many years, the father of my son's friend and my friend. His gentle care for others, his keen insight made me feel it was a privilege to know him. There are many who will miss him, patients, students, Arter people, wood workers, artists and more but none so much as his family. Mylife was richer for having known him."

Carol Carlson wrote on Oct 7, 2017:

"It is with such sadness that I read about Dr. Boyer. Not only was he a great doctor but he and Monika were friends. At least he is now pain free. My love and sympathy to you, Monika, and to your family. "

Roberta Hilton wrote on Oct 7, 2017:

"I have come to Dr. Boyer for adjustments for many years and my husband and son as well. He always knew what the problem was and how to fix it. Also he always had great advice and a great sense of humor. My son was a student of his at MCC and he was a wonderful professor. Will miss him very much. Rest In Peace Dr. Boyer. Monika and family you have my deepest sympathy. "

Connie Bennett wrote on Oct 7, 2017:

"On so many occasions through the years my family went to see Rick, as he let me call him. He was funny, heartwarming and always seemed to know the right fix both in words and action. He affected so many lives in positive ways. We will dearly miss him. I"

Levi Wright wrote on Oct 7, 2017:

"Seriously one of the only MCC professors that was worth being a professor. Loved both of his jobs, was an incredibly brilliant person, and a wonderful personality. I loved all of his classroom demonstrations! And he was always happy to stay after class and help, or respond asap to emails when you had questions. Amazing man, you will be missed by many Doc"

Tracey Sulzberger wrote on Oct 6, 2017:

"My thoughts and prayers are with his family. He was a very intelligent man and one of the greatest instructors I ever had. I also had one of the funniest moments in my academic life in his class. Very sad loss."

Sipra Eko wrote on Oct 6, 2017:

"I am so sorry to hear about our dear friend and colleague Rick. He was a wonderful leader and he was always willing to help anytime even when he was not well. I remember how he helped me every time with the ICCOC website. I communicated with him in August hoping to see him in Muscatine but he told me he was at Scott. What a gracious heart he had. May his soul rest in perfect peace with Jesus Christ!"

Mike and Vicki Fish wrote on Oct 6, 2017:

"Such a wonderful man Dr. Boyer was. He was not only the best chiro to us, be he turned out to be a wonderful friend as well. The smartest, kindest, most caring man our family has ever known. We will always be around to help in any way we can, Monika. Prayers will be with you and your family."

Teresa Barnes wrote on Oct 6, 2017:

"What a wonderful man! He had such a great sense of humor. I had him for an instructor at the college years ago. so sorry for your loss!!!"

Rebecca Knopik wrote on Oct 6, 2017:

"Dr Boyer always kept me on my toes! He pushed me to learn more and do better!! When he was not my instructor, he was was mentor. He then became my friend. His loss is a great one... my only hope is that he realized the positive impact he had on our community and on so many young lives. I'm so sad to hear this news. Love, hugs and prayers sent to his family and loved ones."

Brandy Smith wrote on Oct 6, 2017:

"I like to think this man saved my life. He impacted me in many ways he probably didn't even know. Very sad news."

Christine Fry wrote on Oct 6, 2017:

"My thoughts and prayers to the family. What a wonderful man and teacher. Always had a great time in his classes. "