Robert "Bob" W. Boden

Robert Walter Boden, 91, of Newport, KY, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 31, in the care of the teams at Marjorie P. Lee Retirement Community and Hospice of Cincinnati. Born in Mount Vernon, NY, to Walter Andrew Boden and Martha Boden, Bob grew up in Garden City on Long Island with his sister Nancy, where he attended Garden City High School. He was accepted at Amherst College, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in 1953, before completing his MBA at Harvard University. Bob then served in the Finance Corps of the US Army.

After completing his service, Bob moved to Chicago to work for the consulting firm of McKinsey & Co. There he met and married Mary Melody Mauritz, a graduate of Wheaton College who had started her career in advertising. Their first child, Andrew, was born in 1958. Two children followed by 1965, David and Martha. They also moved from Illinois to Minnesota, with a stop in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with Steelcase as Bob’s career path eventually took him to Jostens in Owatonna, MN. The family settled in Minnetonka, MN.

Bob’s time in Minnesota allowed Bob and his entire family to indulge in Bob’s passion for boating. Evenings on Lake Minnetonka, visiting Big Island and Lord Fletcher’s, were a highlight of his week. His children all learned to pilot a boat safely, and became skilled sailors, as well. Bob also made time for regular games of tennis at Minnetonka Racquet Club. He was an active member of the parish of St David’s Episcopal Church in Minnetonka, including his regular participation in the choir. He was also an active bridge player, coordinating regular games within their circle of friends.

Bob supported his children in their various athletic endeavors. Andy became a capable tennis instructor, David a skilled sailboat captain, and Martha an accomplished equestrian. Bob made sure they understood the importance of a hard day’s work, as all three children held part-time jobs starting in junior high school.

After owning several small businesses, Bob became a business consultant, assisting struggling companies in their efforts to turn their fortunes around. This work led him to an opportunity with Cincom in Cincinnati, and he and Mary moved to Ohio. Bob continued playing bridge and tennis, as well as getting involved in various community organizations. He served as a board member for Lighthouse Youth & Family Services, and his passion for music led to decades of service as a board and committee member for the Cincinnati Opera, as well as a regular role as a choir member at his church.

After Mary’s death in 1996, Bob eventually met Marlene Baer at a Cincinnati Opera event and married her in 2001. He and Marlene built a wonderful life together, guiding and supporting their combined family which now included Marlene’s two sons, Michael and Jeffrey. They remained active in the community through their large circle of friends right up until a few months before Bob’s death.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Martha, and his first wife, Mary. He is survived by his second wife, Marlene, his three children, Andrew (Jennifer), David (Nancy), and Martha (Roy), his grandchildren (Emma, Mariel, Charlie, Alexa and Spencer), and his sister Nancy Boden Pearsall (Otis Pratt Pearsall). Special thanks to the amazing, compassionate caregivers at Marjorie P. Lee and Hospice of Cincinnati. There will be no service in Cincinnati, but the family is grateful for any condolences expressed here. In honor of Bob’s unwavering passion for music, please consider a donation to the Cincinnati Opera in his memory (www.CincinnatiOpera.org).

With all of Bob’s accomplishments and activities, it would be easy to overlook his most important quality, which was his big heart and infectious enthusiasm for life. He always wanted to reach out to others and include as many people and as much as he could in his life. Bob did this very well as those who knew could attest to. Godspeed!