Richard Henry Bocke, 90, of Quincy, died Wednesday, September 10, 2014, at Good Samaritan Home, following a brief residency at the home.

Richard was born April 15, 1924 in Quincy, a son of Henry and Eleanor Ridder Bocke. He was proud of the fact that he lived his entire life on North 12th Street, moving from 1017 North 12th directly across the street to 1014 North 12th following his marriage.

He married Marilyn Liesen on September 15, 1951 and they were just days away from celebrating their 63rd wedding anniversary. She survives.

Rich attended St. John the Baptist School and Church until its closing and was a member of St. Francis Church at the time of his death. He was a 1942 graduate of Notre Dame High School.
He was a World War II veteran, serving from 1942 to 1946 in the Army Air Force. He attained the rank of Sergeant. Upon his return, he worked his entire career at Illinois Bell Telephone, retiring in 1982. Richard also co-owned and operated Buck’s Car Wash at 12th and Chestnut from 1978 to 2004.

Richard was a handyman and an extremely talented carpenter and electrician. He devoted countless hours to remodeling his own home and played a major role in the renovation and/or remodeling of the homes of all six of his children. He had an unparalleled work ethic and a desire for perfection in all he did.

Rich was a selfless man who always put family first. He took his family on annual camping trips across the United States and he was able to visit all 50 states in his lifetime.

He was also an avid bicyclist, who accumulated over 100,000 miles of riding after his retirement. He was proud to do a century ride every year on, or around, his birthday until he reached the age of 83. He promoted physical fitness in his family by taking all his children on bike rides to communities such as Nauvoo and Keokuk, and encouraging the younger ones to become skilled unicycle riders.

Richard’s other hobbies included stamp collecting and refinishing antique furniture. He was a member of the Telephone Pioneers.

Survivors in addition to his wife, Marilyn, include his six children, all of Quincy: Mary Ellen (Jerry) Loos, Barbara (Michael) Klingner, Susie (Richard) Niemann, Janet (Marty) Peters, Henry (Julie) Bocke, and John (Ginger) Bocke.
He is also survived by 25 grandchildren: Erin Patton, San Francisco, Tom (Miki) Loos, Shickley, NE, and Matt (Jessica) Loos, Quincy; Hannah (Greg) Cassens, Ben Klingner, and Will Klingner, all of Quincy, and Katie Klingner, Columbia, MO; Audrey (Andy) Hermsmeier, Richie (Heather) Niemann, Brad (Jenna) Niemann, Andrea (Brian) Doellman, and Doug Niemann, all of Quincy; Emily (Bobby) Tait and Dominic (Megan) Peters of Quincy, Chris (Emily) Peters, Lake St. Louis, and Lance Peters, Quincy; Henry Lee Bocke II, United States Coast Guard, Colleen (Paul) Wagner, Urbana, Catherine Bocke, Chicago, and Ellie Bocke, Urbana; Johnny Bocke, Kyle (Jera Iams) Bocke, Nick Bocke, Rachel Bocke, and Josh Bocke, all of Quincy. He also had 14 great grandchildren.
In addition, Rich is survived by two brothers in laws: Robert Stark and George VonderHaar, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters: Virginia Stark, Geraldine Bocke, and Jeanette VonderHaar, and a grandson, Mark Bocke.

SERVICES: 10:30 a.m. funeral mass on Monday, Sept. 15, at St. Francis Catholic Church with the Rev. Tom Shaughnessy, O.F.M. officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery with military honors conducted by the American Legion Post #37 and the Illinois National Guard Military Funeral Detail.
VISITATION: 4 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 14, in the Duker and Haugh Funeral Home.
MEMORIALS: Mark Bocke Scholarship Fund at Quincy Notre Dame or Friends of the Trails.
ARRANGEMENTS: Duker and Haugh Funeral Home.