A Phoenix native and fixture of Arizona baseball for 50 years, passed away peacefully at home Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at the age of 83 after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Born in Phoenix on July 24, 1928 to Dominic and Marciline Boetto, Herb entered into friendships that were maintained for his entire life. He attended North Phoenix High School and then Arizona State University, where his skills on the baseball diamond began to gather notice. He signed a contract with the New York Giants and played in the minor leagues for several years before enlisting in the Air Force, where, while serving in Panama, he met and married the love of his life, Betty. Moving pack to Phoenix after his service, the young family established their home and Herb began his career teaching and coaching baseball, while playing semi pro ball with the Casa Grande Cotton Kings. Later as coach at Cortez High School he led his team to the State Championship in 1963. Moving on to coach and teach at Glendale Community College, he coached his 1968 team to a Junior College National Championship. Herb had the honor of being selected as a coach for the 1972 first US College All Star Team on their tour of Japan. In 1988 Herb was named to the National Junior College Coaches Hall of Fame. Herb will be missed every day by Betty, his beloved wife of 57 years, his daughters Patti (Chris) Pullen, JoDee (Robert) Janson and his grandchildren Michael (Jolinda) Pullen, Shaffer Pullen, Lizzy (David) Rex and Jessica Janson. Herb is also survived by his sisters Beulah Hagel and Pauline (Nathan) Painter and his mother-in-law, Elizabeth Masden. He was preceded in death by his brother Nick. In addition to his family, Herb will be remembered and mourned by the countless young men who had the good fortune to play baseball on a team led by Coach Boetto. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, February 25th at The Church of the Beatitudes, 555 West Glendale Avenue in Phoenix. In Lieu of Flowers the family requests that donations in Herb’s name be made to Sun Valley Hospice Foundation, 7227 East Baseline Road #127, Mesa, Arizona 85209.
Mike Boyce
I am saddened to hear that this day has come. Coach was not just a coach, but a man who inspired one to understand life. As a young man playing for Coach, I did not understand a lot of his teachings at the time, but in time grew into the man I think he knew I would be someday. Patience and humility he taught, but how he put up with some of our pranks and let’s just say, Youth, in 1968 was something else. Betty and kids, please rest assured that your father was also a father to many others and thank you for sharing him with us. I hope that we did not age him too much in the year of ’68’. You will not ever be forgotton for the man you were by those who of us you touched. Thanks Coach for helping me become a man.
John McGuire
Tad Bloss, our batboy on our 1968 team called me this morning and told me about coaches passing. I was able to talk with Mike Boyce and Donnie Shaver today. I told them that other than my father, there was no one I respected more than Herb Boetto. He was a terrific coach, the best, but he was an even better man. We loved playing ball for Herb and he taught us so much more than baseball. He taught us by example how to be better people and, at the same time, helped improve our baseball skills.He made the game more than it was just by being who he was. I have not seen Coach Boetto for a number of years but I have always loved the man. Always will. My best to Betty, Patti, Jodee and their familes. John, Matt, and Megan McGuire.
Jeff Davis and Robbie Turner
We are sending you love and sympathy during this sad time. Your family is so full and love and that will help you, I promise! We love you so much! Robbie and Jeff
Don Shaver
My condolences to Betty and the rest of the family. Coach Boetto was a special person and will be missed by myself and many others who knew him. He taught me a great deal about how to treat people the proper way and to be fair and honest. As a coach myself, I tried to put into practice all the things that Coach taught me. He will always be in my heart and thoughts.
abby guiver
Betty, I can remember when i first became your neighbor on Echo Lane and met Herb………thinking he was my age. When he told me his real age…….I made him go in to show me his drivers license!!
I will carry such fond memories of him and all of the help he volunteered (including climbing on my roof to clean leaves).
I am so saddened by your news of his passing from the devastating complications of Parkinsons!
What a wonderful life you two “sweethearts” shared for so many years.
With deepest sympathy and love to you and your family!
Abby
Lois Bowers
Dear Betty…I was saddened to read of Herbs passing. He was such a nice man and as a couple you were great. I also noted in the obit that Beth is still alive…. I just had my 96th birthday and still go to Flagstaff in the summer. It was nice to have known Herb, you and Beth….wonderful memories. My thoughts and prayers are with you……..Fondly Lois
Robert Smith
I am so sorry to hear that a great man has left us. I am one of the many young men you had the great pleasure of being coached by Coach Boetto at GCC 1966 and 1967. I am the person I am today because of this fine gentleman.
Mike Greene
I remember Herb catching for the Albrook AFB team in the ’53’-’55 time frame. My dad was stationed there and I was playing little league. They had a pretty good team and always drew a big crowd especially when they played Ft. Clayton who had a Panamanian pitcher they called Rosie. They always had the Air Force band there too. It was quite a days outing for a 8-11 year old.
Glad to see he put his talent to work doing something he loved.