Rick Boardman

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of our beloved Rick Boardman, 61, of Henderson. Rick lost his life tragically in an agricultural aircraft accident on June 11, 2026, near the place that meant the most to him, his home and business, R&M Flying Service.

Rick was born June 15, 1964, to Larry and Gay (Barth) Boardman of Fullerton. His love of aviation began early while working alongside his father at the Superior Municipal Airport and taking flying lessons at age 15. He graduated from Superior High School in 1982 and earned his commercial pilot’s license by age 20.

In 1987, Rick married the love of his life, Mary. A couple years later, Rick, Mary, and his brother, Bob, purchased the family business in Henderson, beginning a lifelong partnership built around aviation, family, and service to farmers. Rick and Bob spent nearly every day together flying, working on airplanes, and growing the business they loved. While they worked, their children, Andrea, Sam, Brandon, and Megan, filled the hangar with scooters, scavenger hunts, and countless memories of “helping” work on airplanes by reaching places their adult hands couldn’t.

In 2007, Rick suffered the devastating loss of his brother in an airplane accident. The tragedy forever changed him and deepened his commitment to safety, mentorship, and protecting the next generation of agricultural aviators.

Rick worked many jobs over the years in the off season, farming, hauling seed corn, and ground rigging while steadily building both his operation and family legacy. In 2018, he opened R&M Flying Service, named for Rick and Mary, which continues to serve southcentral Nebraska farmers and today employs an outstanding team who Rick considered his family.

Rick’s influence extended far beyond Nebraska. He served on the Nebraska Aviation Trades Association (NATA) Board and held numerous leadership roles within the National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA), including serving as president in 2015. He also served as a PAASS presenter, advocating for pilot safety in honor of his brother. In February 2026, he was honored with the NATAAirman of the Year Award for his outstanding contributions to agricultural aviation. Rick took immense pride in mentoring others. Whether training pilots, loaders, or future industry leaders, he found great joy in helping people succeed while sharing his passion for aviation.

Outside the cockpit, Rick was a serial hobbyist who loved traveling with family, jeeping and ATVing, restoring square-body trucks, and competing in STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) and STOL Drag events across the country. He held the title of National Champion for STOL in 2023. He was also passionate about serving his local Henderson community, which has been his family’s home for around 40 years, however he could. He has served on the Henderson Healthcare Board for many years and has been proud to play a small role in their growth and success.

Above all, Rick was a devoted husband, father, papa, son, brother, uncle, mentor, and friend. He and his daughters often joked that their need to love what they do, and to do it well, can be both a blessing and a curse. Both girls pursued careers in healthcare and each carries the same dedication and passion for others following their dad’s example. Around R&M Flying, you’ll find Rick’s nephew, Brandon, and sonin- law, Kole, who have been by Rick’s side for many years. It’s clear that a love for aviation runs in the family. Jet will find any airplane in the sky and say “Papa Rick airplane!” Rick’s legacy will live on.

Rick is survived by his wife, Mary of Henderson; daughters, Andrea Boardman Fisher and her husband Jesse of Cedar Grove, N.C., and Samantha Pederson and her husband Kole, along with Rick’s grandson Jet, of Henderson; mother, Gay Boardman of Grand Island; sister, Yvonne (Dustin) Van Wechel of Colorado Springs, Colo.; nephew, Brandon Boardman of Henderson; niece, Megan (Christian) Clear and their sons Maddox and Eli stationed in Ansbach, Germany; brother-in-law, Bob Walker of Clinton, Mo.; and the entire R&M Flying Service Family.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Bob Boardman (2007); his father, Larry Boardman (2025); and many pilot friends before him.

A Celebration of Rick’s Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the R&M Flying Service Hangar. Rick’s family and crew will be dressed in their R&M attire and invite guests to dress casually, just as he would have wanted. Visitation will be held at the hangar on Friday, June 19, from 4-7 p.m. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 22, at Fullerton Cemetery in Fullerton. Rick’s Celebration of Life will be livestreamed on the Metz Mortuary YouTube channel, with the link available at metzmortuary.com.

Mary invites all who attend to explore the gardens and grounds surrounding their home and R&M Flying. It was a sanctuary they created and loved together.

For those who are coming via personal aircraft, please only use Aurora Coop’s asphalt runway (38NE) on the east side of R&M Flying. Parking attendants will be on site. R&M’s concrete runway (NE83) will be closed to air traffic. Please use frequency 122.8 for airport communications. For any questions, feel free to reach out to Collin Caneva at 402-525-6139.

In lieu of flowers and plants, the family will be directing any memorials to Henderson Health Care as well as a Rick Boardman Memorial Fund being established by the family to support families of fallen pilots.

Condolences may be left for the family at metzmortuary.com. Metz Mortuary, Henderson is handling arrangements.