James R. Boler — Bethesda, Md.

James R. Boler, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away on May 28, 2016, at age 78.

Jim grew up on a family farm near Rochester, Minn., and attended Pine Island High School. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1961 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Shortly after graduation, he moved to Washington, D.C., to begin work at the U.S. Patent and Trademark office as a patent examiner. While working full-time, he attended George Washington Law School at night, earning a JD in 1968.

Jim spent a total of 32 years at the U.S. Patent Office, where he served on the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences as an administrative patent judge from 1978 until 1993. In this capacity, he administered rulings on complex patent dispute appeals. Many of his decisions were published in the U.S. Patent Quarterly. Upon his retirement from government service in 1993, he served as Special Counsel within the patent interference practice of Oblon, Spivak et al, until his final retirement in 2006.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Patricia (maiden name, Coakley), and their four children, Jim (Lynn) of Niskayuna, N.Y., Anne Marie Kirlin (Tim) of Chevy Chase, Md., Brendan (Jennifer) of Charlottesville, Va., and Kevin (Claire) of Chatham, N.J., and 15 grandchildren, Patrick, Kevin, and Tim Kirlin, Sophia, Brian, Collin, Erin, Allison, Maggie, Bridget, Thomas, Grace, Bowen, Caroline, and Molly Boler. He is also survived by three siblings, Joseph Boler of St. Paul, Minn., Sr. Margaret Boler of Rochester, Francis Boler of New York, N.Y.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Virginia Flicek, and his brothers, John and Paul Boler.

As a man of deep faith, he was an active member Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, where he served as a lay minister of the Eucharist. In retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Jim was loved dearly and will be missed.

The Funeral Mass for James R. Boler will be at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 9200 Kentsdale Drive, Potomac, Md., on June 4 at 11 a.m., with visitation from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities, 924 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20001 (www.catholiccharitiesdc.org).