Yolo-Merced County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....BOOCK , Walter  June 9 2004
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Peggy B. Perazzo pbperazzo@comcast.net June 16, 2004, 11:57 am

"The Davis Enterprise," Saturday, June 12, 2004
Walter Boock

Walter Boock died June 9, 2004. He was 87.

He was a 50-year resident of Merced prior to moving to Davis in July 2000 to be
near family. He was born near Flandreau, S.D., on Nov. 30, 1916.

He served five years in the U.S. Army in the Aleutian operation. He attended San
Jose State University, earning teaching and administrative credentials. He spent
his entire educational career with the Merced Union High School District,
serving as teacher, vice principal, principal and as deputy superintendent of
business, a position he held for 18 years until his retirement.

Boock was a member of the Merced Historical Society, American Association of
Retired Persons, American Legion Post No. 83 and Yosemite Lodge 99 AM&FM. He was
a member of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Merced and attended
University Covenant Church in Davis.

Boock was first a family man. His favorite way to be with family was camping
along the river in Yosemite Valley. He had a passion for people, serving others,
traveling and promoting international understanding. He loved the youth hostel
concept and traveled extensively in his retirement.

While a member of the Merced Rotary Club, he was named a Paul Harris Fellow "in
appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of
better understanding and friendly relations between peoples of the world."

In his later years, Boock operated an official home hostel for the American
Youth Hostel Association. He hosted more than 3,000 young people and families
from more than 30 countries, delighting in their adventures, giving them tips on
seeing Yosemite in its best light, and nourishing them with his famous homemade
banana pancakes.

In 1995, Hostelling International named him the recipient of the Bill and Ruth
Nelson Award for "personifying the warmth, friendliness and caring spirit of
keeper of the hostel." He also found great joy and meaning in delivering Meals
on Wheels, which he did until he was 83.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Elsa Peters Boock; brother, Helmuth;
sisters, Hilda and Clara, who died in the flu epidemic of 1918; and his father,
Herman Heinrich Boock, who died in 1964.

He is survived by his former wife and friend Margaret Boock, three daughters,
Judy Davis and Peggy Froehlich of Davis and Elsa Romanowitz of Chandler, Ariz.;
son, David of Ketchum, Idaho; five grandchildren, Jesse Froehlich of Santa Cruz,
Will Froehlich of Los Angeles, Justin Romanowitz of Yosemite and Matt Davis and
Ryan Davis of Davis. He also leaves sons-in-law Mike Davis, Clyde Froehlich and
Bob Romanowitz, and daughter-in-law Heidi Boock.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, attn: Web,
P.O. Box 102454, Atlanta, GA 30368-2454 or the North Davis Elementary Sixth
Grade Camping Scholarship Fund, North Davis Elementary, 555 E. 14th St., Davis,
CA 95616.


Additional Comments:
Submitted with the permission of the "The Davis Enterprise." (315 G Street,
Davis, CA 95616) 

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