Richard R. “Dick” Boerger

Richard R. "Dick" Boerger passed away peacefully on November 1, 2025, at the age of 88, surrounded by family at the Rossville Health and Rehabilitation Center, after a battle with dementia and pneumonia.

On August 7, 1937, Richard was born in Linn, Kansas to Marvin F. Boerger and Clara Koopman Boerger.

Richard was raised on a farm in Linn, Kansas where he attended Zion Lutheran School and graduated from Linn High School in 1955, where he participated on the football team as the high school quarterback. He also played basketball and ran track.

On July 19, 1959, he married Wauneta A. Naylor in Greenleaf, Kansas, and together they shared over 66 years of marriage. Richard and Wauneta were blessed with three children, Alan, Tamora and Paula.

Richard worked in Salina, Kansas and in 1959 he moved to Topeka and became a heavy equipment transporter. Thereafter he joined the Iron Workers Union where he worked for over 29 years erecting steel on numerous buildings and bridges in Kansas and Missouri, retiring in 1997.

Outside of his professional life, Richard enjoyed spending time with family members. He relished attending all sporting activities of his children and grandchildren. Richard enjoyed hunting and fishing, camping, gardening, assembling interlocking puzzles, bird watching, and caring for his feathered friends.

Richard is survived by his wife, Wauneta; his son, Alan Boerger (Lesa), two daughters, Tamora Davey (late husband Richard "Rick"), and Paula Boerger (Steve Riddle); his grandchildren, Aaron Davey (Kayla), Adam Davey (Emily), Austin Boerger (Angel); Liana Verschuur (Carl), Connor Riddle, Kimberly Riddle, step granddaughter Jessica Kimmel (Bryce); and five great grandchildren (Hampton, Hudson, Heidi, Hayes, and Charleston). Richard was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.

Richard will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but his legacy of love, hard work and service will live on.

The memorial service will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church, 901 Southwest Fillmore Street, Topeka, Kansas 66606, on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 10:00 am. The family will receive family and friends prior to the service from 9:00 am to 9:45 am. The committal will take place immediately following the service at Prairie Home Cemetery, at the corner of Northwest 35th Street and Menoken Road, Topeka, Kansas 66618.

In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, St. John's Classical Lutheran School, or Rossville Health and Rehabilitation Center, all sent in care of Midwest Cremation, 525 SE 37th Street, Topeka, Kansas 66605.