Richard J. Boutell

Richard J. Boutelle WAYNESBORO, Va. — Richard J. “Bam” Boutelle, 80, passed peacefully at his home in Waynesboro, on Feb. 28, 2013, surrounded by his wife and children. He was  born in Athol, Mass., on June 2, 1932, and was the eldest child of Richard T. and Dorothy E. (Oberg) Boutelle. He attended Athol High School and played basketball, baseball and Babe Ruth Ball. Following graduation in 1950 he enlisted in the Air Force, served in England, and was a Korean War Veteran. Upon discharge he returned to Athol, married and settled down to raise a family. He took advantage of the G.I. Bill and eventually earned a Ph.D in education from Michigan State University, Lansing. He held a full professorship at Wisconsin State University, Stevens Point. He taught in public and private school and at the community college and university levels in Virginia, Massachusetts, Florida and New York. Mr. B. also taught science and coached baseball at the Athol Junior High School in the mid 1960s. Music was a lifelong love and he sang in a barbershop chorus as well as a quartet in Stevens Point. He also enjoyed camping with the family, playing golf and tennis, watching college sports, puttering in the yard and was fond of animals particularly cats. He is survived by his devoted wife of 57 years Joan C. (MacInnis); his children, Sheryl Winget and husband Richard, T. Andrew Boutelle and wife Ann, and Karen Streeter; three grandchildren, Joshua Siewert, and Jacob and Amy Winget; two sisters, Julie Gibbs and Cynthia Boutelle; three nephews, Patrick and Michael Gibbs and Tom Boutelle; and a niece Laurina Gibbs. He was predeceased by his sister Doloris Deyo and a brother Robert Boutelle. We are proud of our loved one’s accomplishments, but proudest of the character of the man. Although he is sadly missed we are blessed with a wealth of precious memories. Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or to Hospice of the Shenandoah, P.O. Box 215, Fisherville, Va., 22939. For further information or to share a memory with the family, go to www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });