Wilma Tonn Boggs

Bio

Wilma Boggs was born in Haven, Kansas in 1916, the youngest of four children of William and Martha Tonn. William Tonn was a farmer (general farm) in Haven, Reno County, Kansas.

Wilma graduated from Kansas State with a B.S. degree in Institutional Management and Dietetics and worked at hospitals in Kansas, Idaho, and Indiana, often trying to stay close to where her fiancé and later husband Air Force pilot Marvin Lohmeyer was stationed.  Unfortunately, Lohmeyer was lost in fighting during the Second World War. 

In the mid-1940’s, Wilma took a position with the National Miller’s Federation where she promoted the use of wheat flour all over the six western states.  Later she was approached by the Honolulu Gas Company to come to Hawaii and help promote the use of natural gas for cooking. 

While in Honolulu she met her second husband, Albert Boggs, a Commander in the Navy.  They were married in 1951 and returned stateside when he was transferred, living in Arlington, VA, and Argentia, Newfoundland. During that time the couple had two children, Russell and Linda.

Albert was transferred to San Diego in the early 1960’s, and they decided it was the place he should retire from the Navy, and take a position as a Civil Engineer with the County of San Diego.

Once the children were in school, Wilma began teaching as a lecturer in the Home Economics Department at San Diego State in 1965 and got her Master’s degree in 1970. The subject of her thesis was “The nutritionist’s role in an integrated nutrition education program in elementary schools.” She was appointed to the faculty position of Assistant Professor in 1971. The next year the Department name was changed to Family Studies and Consumer Sciences. Wilma taught primarily lower division introductory courses in food and nutritional sciences, including food preparation laboratory classes.

Wilma retired from teaching in 1977 and was given the title of Assistant Professor Emeritus at San Diego State University. She and Albert’s primary residence was in Poway, an inland suburb of San Diego. They enjoyed retirement together until Al’s death in 1987.

Wilma moved to Carlsbad, CA in 2004 where she lived comfortably at La Costa Glen. Wilma was honored by her family and friends at her 100th Birthday in October 2016. Even at age 100 Wilma was living independently and driving her car. Wilma died peacefully in March 2017.

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