Earl Boettger

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-297662
• Residence: 1921, Lexington (Waterloo City), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Evangelical

Earl — Lillian Matilda Heidrich. Lillian was born 1915; died 13 Feb 1990, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; was buried 16 Feb 1990, Bridgeport Memorial Cemetery, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Bill Boettger
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-130138
• Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region: Bef 2012, , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Bill Boettger was born and raised in Kitchener. After graduating from Kitchener Collegiate Institute, Boettger received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Waterloo, and a teacher's certificate from the University of Toronto. He was the Assistant Head of Mathematics at Eastwood Collegiate and taught mathematics there for 31 years. Boettger is known as Canada's most internationally decorated lawn bowler, and the first to bring home a gold medal. He began his involvement with bowling while working as a pin boy at a local bowling alley. Boettger was a member of the Ontario men's championship 5 Pin Bowling team, winning a silver medal at the Canadian championships. His skill as a bowler led to his winning a gold medal at the Canadian Masters singles title in 1974. In his final game in the pin boy league, he rolled a perfect game of 450 points.

In addition to his skill as an athlete, Boettger wrote the lesson plans and curricula for 5 Pin Bowling, which is still being used today. He served various roles with the Master Bowlers Association of Ontario, including Treasurer and President. He was inducted into the Builders Division of the Ontario 5 Pin Bowler's Association in 1997.

Boettger was a member of the Canadian Lawn Bowling team for eighteen years, representing Canada twenty-five times. He was a Canadian Champion and won two silver medals at the Commonwealth Games and silver and bronze medals at the world championships. In 1991, at the South Pacific Bowls, he was named top bowler of the competition as he brought home gold in the singles, pairs, and fours. Boettger was National Coach for Bowls for four years. In the world of lawn bowling, he was known to many as Captain Canada.

Boettger paired up with Brian Williams at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton to provide the colour commentary for lawn bowling for the CBC.

Boettger was instrumental in the creation and operation of the Heritage Lawn Bowling Facility and served as its treasurer from its inception. In 1999, he chaired the National Championships Hosting Committee. The National Championships in 2005 in Kitchener, and Woodstock were named in his honour.

Boettger wrote several level one and two coaching manuals. He was a level three coach.

Boettger is survived by his partner, Bev Bayus and a large extended family.


Waterloo Region Hall of Fame