Vietnam Veteran Supports Other Vets at Florida State

Coming from a family that was proud to volunteer to serve their country during time of war, it was not a difficult decision for Rick Boehm to sign up for the Naval Reserve Officers Training Program during his sophomore year at FSU in 1967. Rick's maternal grandfather served in the Navy during WWI, and his father and two uncles were in the Navy during WWII. Thus, the Navy was the only branch of the service that he considered. What was different was that he was to become the first officer in the family.

After graduation in 1969, Rick immediately went to Naval Officer Candidate School. He served four years of active duty, the last two years shuttling to and from Vietnam from his base station in Subic Bay in the Philippines.

Rick returned to FSU's law school after leaving active duty in 1973. He earned his second FSU degree (JD) in 1975. Rick helped start a law firm in Daytona Beach in 1976 that grew to a multi-city firm with more than 30 lawyers. He was the senior partner and manager of that firm for the last 21 years of his career, which ended with his retirement in 2012.

Rick has a lifelong love of FSU. He has been an academic supporter of FSU, a Seminole Booster since 1973, and is a life member of the Alumni Association. He recalls raising his three children in the FSU environment and is proud that all three are FSU graduates. Rick is greatly appreciative for all FSU has meant to him and his family.

Having had some success in life, and recognizing the sacrifices that the current generation of FSU veterans have made in serving their country before becoming Seminoles, when Rick heard of the opportunity to help those veterans through charitable giving, he contacted the FSU Office of Gift and Estate Planning.

Charitable gift annuities were proposed as a way for Rick to enjoy lifetime income, as well as a tax deduction, and give him the ability to designate to a specific program, college or interest. His choice was to support FSU's Student Veterans Center (SVC). The SVC serves nearly 500 military/veteran students and provides a community with military service commonality, helping to navigate first time or returning students toward success.

Rick takes satisfaction in knowing that his contribution will support active-military students and student veterans. Through his own experiences, Rick also knows that military service and a Florida State education are a powerful combination for creating resilient global leaders.

We thank all our military FSU alumni, supporters and their families for their service and to the continued growth of our Student Veterans Center.

Learn more about the ways FSU supports our Veteran students by contacting The Office of Gift and Estate Planning at (850) 644-0753 or giftplanning@foundation.fsu.edu.