APCO International mourns the loss of Senior and Life Member Richard C. Boettcher, RPL, of Massachusetts who passed away Aug. 31 at the age of 74 after a long and dedicated career in public safety communications. An Atlantic chapter member since 1990, Boettcher retired in 2016 from the North Andover Police Department.

His service to APCO included four years as an East Coast Regional Representative on the Board of Directors of APCO International, 2013-17; three years as an Executive Council member; and four years as chair of the Member & Chapter Services Committee. Most recently, Boettcher just completed a four-year tenure as Group Leader, which was his second stint in this capacity. Boettcher has the rare distinction of having served a total of eight years as a Group Leader. He also served his chapter in several capacities, including chair of the Volunteer Committee for the 2000 Annual Conference in Boston.

Boettcher is survived by his wife Dolores who signaled mid-summer when Boettcher began hospice care that in lieu of flowers he would prefer donations be made to either MishStrong, established in memory of their niece, or the APCO Sunshine Fund. We are saddened by the passing of our dear friend and dedicated champion of APCO and the public safety communications profession.

Boettcher’s full obituary is here.