 Boehmer grew up in Flint Hill, Missouri, a town of about 100 residents.He attended St. Louis University and after his sophomore year, with both the Reds and Yankees showing interest in him, he signed with the Reds in 1961 for an $18,000 bonus.He was in his seventh season in the Cincinnati farm system when he was recalled for his Major League debut on June 18, 1967.