Dr. Boehlke was hospitalized with a bacterial infection on October 22, 2011, just after his arrival in New Jersey from his home in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He and daughters Lisa and Heidi, and grandson Matthew, had flown in for Bob’s 50th Reunion at Princeton Theological Seminary.  He had hoped to visit Oxford Second Church, where he served from 1956-59. Although the infection was cured, the stress on his body was too much and he did not recover. He died at 1:00 am November 11. 

A number of our members have very fond memories of Dr. Boehlke, and some of us also had the joy of meeting daughter Heidi and her son Matthew, who still came to see us after her father's hospitalization. Our prayers and deepest sympathy are with all the family and friends of this great man who served our Lord with such devotion. We are most grateful to have been a part of his journey, if only for a brief time.

Those who wish to know more about Dr. Boelke will be glad to know that he finished writing his life story in September, hoping to share it with family and friends at Christmas. Beyond All Expectations traces the journey of a Minnesota farm boy who becomes a professor of Christian Education at theological seminary half way around the world in Jakarta, Indonesia. You can read a condensed version of his story here.