Francis O. "Fritz" Boom, 82, of Moline, died Saturday, Jan. 7, 2006, after a courageous battle against cancer at Trinity at Terrace Park, Bettendorf.
Cremation rites were accorded. A private memorial service will be held at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd. 6601 38th Ave., Moline. Inurnment will take place in Moline Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pathway Hospice at Trinity at Terrace Park in Bettendorf, American Cancer Society or the Moline Humane Society.
Francis was born Oct. 4, 1923, in Rock Island, the son of Francis Carl and Lillian Brondel Boom. He married Dorothea Gelomb June 5, 1948. They were married for 57 1/2 years.
Francis served in the Navy for four years from 1942-1946, having attended three colleges and graduating from Harvard as a lieutenant. He served as a supply corps officer aboard the oil tanker USS Winooski in World War II. He enjoyed his time in the Navy. Francis finished his education at Augustana College, Rock Island, and earned his master's degree at the University of Iowa, Iowa City.
Francis began his teaching career in New Boston as principal and coach at the grade school. He then taught in Coal Valley, before being brought up to Moline High School. where he taught math for two years in the old high school and then taught math in the new high school, where he was also a former assistant football coach. He retired in 1984. He loved teaching. He spent the next 20 years of his retirement in Arizona from October to April.
Francis enjoyed reading, movies, bowling, football and his dogs. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Survivors (and spouses) include his wife, Dorothea; daughter, Cathy Best, Moline; son, Randy (Sandra) Boom, Moline; three grandchildren, Aaron and Adam Best, Heather Boom; two stepgrandchildren, Drs. Craig (Ann Marie) Nelson, Kim (Brian) Anderson; four stepgreat-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Darlene Van Hoorebeck.
Obituary from QC Online