09/24/2025
Steven Forrest Boster passed away April 19, 2025 at the age of 78. Steve was born to Mary and Forrest Boster on November 7, 1946 in Columbia City, Indiana. He was the oldest of 5 sons.
The son of an elementary school teacher and administrator, Steve was never the best student in a class, but he liked education and learning. His 3rd grade teacher in Bellevue, MI helped him catch "the reading bug" and, like his other loves, he retained it until the end.
He spent a year at Marshall University in Huntington, WV. Then, Uncle Sam called. Steve enlisted in the US Air Force in 1966. Following basic training, he was assigned to Kincheloe, AFB in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where he remained his entire enlistment.
The Air Force made Steve a Public Information Specialist, starting his newspaper career as a writer for the base newspaper, The Chieftain, starting a lifelong love of newspapers. After leaving the Air Force, Steve pursued a career newspapers, starting as a sports editor, working his way up to being editor for various newspapers. Weekly newspapers gave Steve a real interest in the idea of owning his own paper. In 1976, he moved to Bridger, Montana and purchased the Clark’s Fork Bonanza, and after a few years, he sold the paper and moved back to California in 1979.
In 1980, he moved to Bishop and was the editor of the Inyo County Register. After a brief stint, he was hired by Pat Farris to be an editor of The News Review here in Ridgecrest. He was hired by The Daily Independent as an editor. In 1984, after working closely with the staff at The Rocketeer, he was hired by the China Lake Navel Weapons Center as the assistant editor of The Rocketeer newspaper and became editor. From Editor of the Rocketeer, he became Assistant Public Affairs Officer. In 1995, he became Public Affairs Officer for NAWC until 2001. One of the highlights was his work on The Strategic Arms Reduction Talk Treaty Support Team at China Lake 1990-2001. He retired from NAWC in 2006.
Even though Steve came late to learning, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree at California State University, Stanislaus. After his hire at NAWC, he went on to a Masters Degree in Business Administration from University of California, Bakersfield.
After a challenge from a friend, Steve decided to go to law school, and was accepted to the Concord School of Law. After passing the Baby Bar on the first try, he went on to pass the California State Bar in October 2006 and opened The Law Office of Steven Boster. He specialized in Probate and Elder law. His favorite part of the law was being able to help his clients, friends, and family. He closed the law office at the end of 2023.
He married Margie Ann Bevans in 1968, had one son, Joseph Boster, and divorced in 1987. Steve married Mary Frances Turner in 1989. They were married 35 years.
Like many Ridgecrestians, Steve had a 5-year plan to move somewhere else; a plan that lasted 45 years. While Steve hated the desert, he loved Ridgecrest.
Steve believed in giving back to his community. As Public Affairs Officer he was active in the community helping to support the community efforts of China Lake NAWC. After retirement from China Lake NAWC, he joined Mary in supporting the community. Steve joined Rotary International in late 1995 and embraced the Rotary slogan of “Service Above Self”. Being very active, Steve was President of the Rotary Club of China Lake 3 times - 2004-2005, 2014-2015, 2022-2023. He was active on the Rotary District level as Assistant Governor - 2007-2008. He received the Rotary honor of Paul Harris Fellow in 2014-2015, and was active on the China Lake Rotary Foundation, which provides scholarships for local students. He was Foundation Board President in 2023-2025.
He worked with the Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce, spending 6 years on the board of directors before becoming president in 2012-2013. He was active in various committees of the chamber and was in the Star Follies for many years.
He worked with Maturango Museum as well, serving on their board from 2009 to 2015, and was president from 2010 to 2013.
After retiring from the law firm, Steve started volunteering at the Historical Society of the Upper Mojave. He really enjoyed his time there and was learning all about the history of our local area.
Steve was known for his love of wine and travel. He developed the travel bug early, celebrating his first birthday in Nevada; while he was in Ohio for his second. The wine habit didn't come until after his move to California in 1973, but like the wanderlust, it was a love that remained with him till the very end. Steve enjoyed many trips to the various wine regions; exploring different wineries, sampling vintages, and collecting wine. He took that love internationally visiting France, Italy, and Australia.
He and Mary visited 7 continents and 58 countries. He loved a driving vacation, and drove across the United States many times. He also loved train travel. He rode every train route Amtrak has, his favorite being the Coast Starlight up the coast of California and through the Cascades to one of his favorite destinations, the Pacific Northwest. He loved cruises, having spent over 200 days on a cruise ship. It was the perfect vacation - unpack once and go to a different place every day. He loved traveling to Europe and spent many vacations there, especially in England.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, son Joseph Boster and Joseph’s wife Nancy, granddaughter Heather Boster, his brothers Dan Boster, Mike Boster, and Mike’s wife Amber.
A private celebration of life is being held on September 27th. Should you like to attend, please reach out to Mary at [email protected].
