The Lisle Woodridge Fire District regrets to inform you that Fire Chief Emeritus Paul H. Boecker passed away on August 14, 2011. Chief Boecker is survived by his wife Sonja J. Boecker (Sinclair), his son Paul H. Boecker III and his wife Nancy (Martin) their two children Paul H. Boecker IV and John J. Boecker of Yorkville; his son Alex J. Boecker and his wife Krissie (Kegaly) and their son Alex J. Boecker Jr of Westmont; and his sister Ann S. Boecker of Naperville.

Chief Boecker began his career with the Naperville Fire Department in 1952, he left there as a Captain to become the Chief of the Lisle Fire Department in 1971. He was instrumental in turning the volunteer fire department into a full-time paid fire district during his tenure. Chief Boecker’s personality was larger than life and he utilized that to the advantage of the fire district. His guidance expanded the fire district to five fire stations, more than eighty personnel and attained an Insurance Service Office (ISO) Class 1 designation before he retired in 1994. Although it was never his objective to attain accolades for himself, he did in fact achieve many. During his career he received nine Awards of Commendation, four Awards of Merit and the coveted Firefighter of the Year Award in 1993 from the fire district and was named Employee of the Year in Woodridge. During the devastating tornado that struck Plainfield in 1990, Chief Boecker was one of twelve recipients of recognition for his outstanding leadership for the incident. In 1983, he was one of two Chiefs honored with the Dictograph Security Company “Public Safety Award”. His career honors hit the pinnacle when he was awarded the “Mason Lankford” fire service award which was named after a personal friend.

Chief Boecker served on several regional and national committees throughout his career and received many awards along the way. He began the “Keep the Wreath Red” program in 1954 which would later be adopted by DuPage County and eventually it would be recognized by the State of Illinois. He served as a charter member of the Educational Research Foundation for the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association and as their President in 1980; in 1982 he was named as the Fire Chief of the Year in Illinois. He served as a Field Instructor for the Illinois Fire Service Institute for more than 30 years and was the Chairman of Illinois Fire College from 1972 until 1996.

Chief Boecker served as a Co-Chairman for the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association Firefighter Funeral Committee that developed the funeral process that many fire departments use today. He was also a Founding Member, Director and President of the DuPage Hundred Club which provides benefits and support to spouses and families of fire and police officers who have lost their lives in the line-of-duty.

Chief Boecker has also served on a national level in various capacities with the National Fire Academy, International Fire Chiefs, Federal Management Emergency Agency and several other fire schools.

Services for Chief Boecker were held as follows:
August 18
Trinity Lutheran Church, 1101 Kimberly Way, Lisle
Visitation 2:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
Fire Department Line Up 6:30 P.M.
Fire Department Walk Through 7:00 P.M.
August 19
Trinity Lutheran Church, 1101 Kimberly Way, Lisle
Visitation 9:00 A.M. – 10:45 A.M.
Funeral Service 11:00 A.M.
Naperville Cemetery