Richard Boehr, lifelong Bluffton businessman and community supporter, is recipient of the first-ever Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce Life Membership Award, according to Fred Steiner, Chamber CEO. The presentation was made during the Oct. 12 chamber breakfast, which was attended by approximately 70 persons.

This summer the chamber board agreed to create the Life Member designation to be presented to persons who have a long tradition of support to the chamber and the community. One additional Life Membership will be presented later this year.

Here’s a brief list showing Boehr’s contribution to the chamber and community:
• Served as auctioneer at several community functions
• Business owner in Bluffton’s retail district for over 50 years
• Charter member of the Bluffton Village Expansion Corp.
• Longtime member of the Bluffton Lions Club and recipient of Lions Citizen of the Year
• One of the founders of the Bluffton antique car show
• Member of the Bluffton singing group “The Goldenaires”
• Major promoter of the 1969 and 2007 Main Street streetscape programs
• Committee member of the Bluffton centennial (1961), quasicentennial (1985) and         sesquicentennial (2011)
• Major player behind the creation of Benroth Covered Bridge at Buckeye park
• Longtime support of Bluffton Hospital fund drives
• Major promoter of several Main Street retail district parking lots
• Currently working developing the Jefferson Street-Shannon Cemetery into a park
• Encourager of persons launching businesses in the community• Sponsor of a merchant’s basketball team, the Bluffton Boehrs