Park Ridge in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Pvt. Richard F. Boettcher

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 9, 2025

1. Pvt. Richard F. Boettcher Marker

Inscription.
In memory of Pvt. Richard F. Boettcher
Co D • 132nd Inf • 33rd Div
Died in service Oct. 15, 1918

Erected by Mel Tierney American Legion Post 247.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World I.

Location. 42° 0.543′ N, 87° 49.852′ W. Memorial is in Park Ridge, Illinois, in Cook County. It is at the intersection of Courtland Avenue and Prospect Avenue, on the right on Courtland Avenue. The marker is on the north end of Hodges Park, at the rear a newer war memorial. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Park Ridge IL 60068, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Greater Chicago.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sgt. Emmons Harries

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(here, next to this marker); Pvt. Henry J. Ziegenbein (here, next to this marker); Edmund F. Bentley (here, next to this marker); Corp. Mel Tierney (here, next to this marker); Park Ridge War Memorial (here, next to this marker); Lt. Herbert C. Petersen (here, next to this marker); Milestones of History (within shouting distance of this marker); Park Ridge Camp Fire Girls (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Park Ridge.

More about this memorial. This bronze plaque is one of more than a half-dozen individual markers to World War I veterans that can be found surrounding a newer war memorial on the north end of Hodges Park. It could not be determined how these markers were originally displayed, or when they were placed in Hodges Park.

Regarding Pvt. Richard F. Boettcher. Richard Fred Boettcher was born in Park Ridge in 1895 and was living there as a farmer when he submitted his draft registration card in 1917. He was a member of the 132nd Infantry, a famed Illinois regiment that traced its roots to the Civil War.

Few other details of Boettcher's military record could be gleaned,

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 9, 2025

2. Pvt. Richard F. Boettcher Marker

The marker is one of six surrounding a newer war memorial at Hodges Park. It is the left-most of the four pictured here.

other than his death on Oct. 15, 1918. Newspaper wire stories printed on December 5, 1918, listed Boettcher as having died of disease. The only known cemetery marker for Boettcher, according to military records and Find a Grave, is his inclusion on the Tablet of the Missing at Suresnes American Cemetery in France.

Mel Tierney Post 247 is named after another casualty of World War I, who is also honored with a plaque here at Hodges Park. The post appears to still be active to this day.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, July 9, 2025

3. Hodges Park

The war memorials are on the north end of the park.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 97 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 10, 2025, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.