Leonard Boche

Boche, H. Leonard

Hartlen Leonard Boche passed away after a long illness on October 20, 2021, at the age of 92. He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Boche, and his parents, Charles and Mabel Boche.

Leonard was born in Inver Grove Township in 1929, graduating from South St. Paul High School. He graduated from Hamline University as the first college graduate of his family, graduated from Garrett Theological Seminary, and obtained a Master’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Minnesota.

Leonard spent ten years in pastoral ministry, twenty years in the chemical dependency treatment field, and ten years as an administrator of state services, retiring in 1995 as the Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice. Leonard was a pioneer in the chemical dependency treatment field. He was the architect of the Minnesota detox system, the halfway house network and health insurance coverage for those who suffer from alcoholism. He helped define the Minnesota Model of chemical dependency treatment by his work in establishing licensing laws and rules, including serving as the Director of the Minnesota State Commission on Alcohol Problems. “Leonard Boche Day,” June 12, 1986, was proclaimed by Gov. Rudy Perpich to recognize Leonard’s contributions to the field of chemical dependency treatment.

Leonard is survived by his wife, Donna Moser, and Leonard’s four daughters, Susan Boche, Jan Krause, Robyn Boche and Laurie Boche; his sons-in-law Michael Smallpage, Ray Krause and Tom Tjernlund; and his beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 27, at Bradshaw Funeral Home, 4600 Greenhaven Drive, White Bear Lake, MN (651) 407-8300. Visitation with the family begins at 9:30 a.m. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, to Planned Parenthood of Minnesota and Doctors Without Borders.