Dr. Steve Boyer age 70 of Mullen, NE passed away on October 30, 2026
Steve Clair Boyer was born in Broken Bow, Nebraska, to proud parents Gene and Irene (Warren) Boyer. He spent his early years on his parents’ ranch south of Seneca. He started kindergarten in Thedford and after third grade attended country school closer to the ranch. He would ride his pony, Smoky, about four miles to the country school. Even at an early age, he loved working closely with his parents, pulling the corn wagon behind a tractor, milking cows before and after school, feeding the pigs, and doing whatever else was needed on the ranch.
Steve started sixth grade in Mullen. One of his favorite memories from high school was playing basketball on coach Bob Beitel’s team. He spent summers working in the hayfield with his dad and friends. Gene had his hands full with that crew. Steve had many stories about those summers. They worked hard, had a good time, and Irene always made sure they were well fed. It’s no surprise that he developed a very strong work ethic and love for the Sandhills from his parents.
Steve was honored to serve as class president before graduating from Mullen High School in 1974. After graduation, he worked for Bob Bragg Construction in Mullen and went to California to do some construction work out there. After that he came back and worked on a ranch south of Hyannis. In 1975 he enlisted in the Navy with John Long on the buddy system.
Steve completed boot camp and A School in Great Lakes, Illinois, and was sent to Southern California for further training before becoming a deep-water sailor on the USS Elliot. He was honorably discharged from the Navy on July 7, 1977. He always celebrated that day. Once discharged, he returned to ranching work in Western Nebraska and then decided to use the GI bill to go to college.
With a desire to do something good with his life, he began college at Weber State in Utah. A chance encounter with Dr. Joe Saults, who had been a physician in Mullen in the 1960s and 1970s, found him moving to Arizona to attend Arizona State University. He graduated in 1982. Steve was initially a history major with a Fulbright scholarship to study abroad, but Dr. Saults encouraged him to switch majors and apply to medical school. So, he did. He felt he was lucky to be accepted and began studies at the University of Nebraska Medical Center the following year.
It was there he met his future wife, Margaret, at a Student Association for Rural Health meeting. They found they shared a love of the Sandhills and a desire to practice medicine there. It is also where he met one of his dearest friends, Leon Jons, a fellow Navy veteran and music lover. They continued to share music through the years. This past year, Leon supported Steve by sending him a new song every day.
While in Omaha they welcomed their first child, Claire Irene. Upon finishing residency, they moved to Gordon, Nebraska, where they welcomed their second daughter, Lauren Anne. But the ties to the Sandhills were strong, and in 1992 they began a practice in Mullen with the support of the community and Great Plains Health.
Steve spent the next three decades of his life as a devoted family physician to rural Nebraskans. He practiced at Sandhills Family Medicine and traveled to many small hospitals and clinics to provide care in communities needing a doctor. Steve enjoyed being a family physician and he felt honored to care for the people of the Sandhills. He was happy to see his patients in the clinic or wherever he was out and about in town. He also loved history, reading, ranching, and spending time with his family.
In 2022, Steve became the proud grandpa to Roya Cathleen Rumpca, and in 2024, Theo Bernard “Toby” Bean. Watching his grandchildren grow became his greatest joy, and they adored him equally. Steve was the heart of his family, and his loss is immeasurable. Steve is survived by his wife of 41 years, Margaret (Cavanaugh); his daughters Claire and Lauren; his sons-in-law, Aaron Rumpca and Theo Bean; his grandchildren Roya and Toby; his brothers Allen (Barbara) and Gary (Mary) Boyer; and his many nieces and nephews.
The family will hold a private burial for Steve at the Seneca cemetery. On Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 1:00 PM MST they will have a Celebration of Life open to the public at the Hooker County Fairgrounds Community Center. In lieu of flowers, donations in Steve’s memory can be made to the CureC9 Program within EverythingALS, the Sandhills Medical Foundation (PO BOX G), or the local EMS or Rural Fire Department.
The family welcomes anyone who would like to share a special memory, photograph, or card of condolence to do so by mail at:
Boyer Family
P.O. Box 4
Mullen, NE 69152
