Mr. LeRoy R. Boespflug peacefully passed away in his sleep on Wednesday, November 6th, after a courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his beloved wife, Jeanne; daughter, Holly; grandson, Seth; son, Scot; and sisters, Rosie (Tormaschy) and Lynda (Berger).
LeRoy was born on September 26, 1940, in his grandmother’s house in Beulah, North Dakota. Raised on a farm north of Dickinson, he moved to town in 1953, graduated from Dickinson High School in 1958, and Dickinson State College in 1963. A tough, fierce competitor, LeRoy was a pioneer in North Dakota wrestling, he competed on the first wrestling teams at both Dickinson High School and Dickinson State College, achieving notable success including two District Championships and a North Dakota State College title. As head wrestling coach starting in 1968, he led Dickinson State College to their first NDCAC wrestling title, which they defended for three consecutive years. LeRoy later spent over 30 years as a wrestling official and was inducted into the North Dakota Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2003.
LeRoy was a renaissance man, with a master’s degree in education, he dedicated 42 years to the field, including 22 years with the Dickinson Public School District, as an administrator, counselor and teacher, retiring as an assistant superintendent in 2004. His passions extended to art, woodworking, photography, woodturning, and furniture construction. In retirement, he enjoyed making furniture, hunting and fishing. He was highly skilled in butchering, wildlife photography, pheasant hunting, and sausage making. He and his sister published a cookbook featuring German recipes passed down through generations. LeRoy actively contributed to the community through the Elks, Rotary, Knights of Columbus, and the Blue Hawk Booster Club.
Though a quiet man, LeRoy spoke, when necessary, was fiercely loyal, possessed strong integrity and led by example. He cherished his family above all and was married to Jeanne for 62 years and maintained strong bonds with his children, grandson, sisters, and extended family.
LeRoy’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, November 30, 2024 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson with Msgr. Thomas Richter as celebrant. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with a vigil at 6 p.m. with Deacon Leonard Krebs presiding. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the mass at the church.
