Meet Paul Boman: The Heart Behind Springville’s Senior Center

SPRINGVILLE, UTAH — On a day the senior center in Springville was supposed to be closed, a group of seniors gathered with their smiles and a sign to celebrate and surprise 92-year-old Paul Boman.

“He is amazing. He’s here every single day helping. There’s not been anybody I know that is as helpful as he is,” says Tori Eaton, the manager of Springville Senior Center.

“There have been so many seniors who say what an asset he’s been to our senior center. He’s friendly, he’s always got a hug for everybody,” says Betty Robinson.

Mr. Boman even had a hug for me.

“We are here to celebrate you for all of the work that you do at this senior center. All the volunteering, all the time you spend. They are here to celebrate you.”

Even Springville’s mayor came out to cheer on Mr. Boman.

“Paul, the city appreciates all you’ve done down here,” Mayor Richard J. Child tells him.

“The pay is really good,” he jokes.

There is no pay. Mr. Boman has been a volunteer for five years now, clocking in 635 hours last year alone.

“I decided I wanted to be a volunteer. I wanted to give service because this is such a great facility. And such good people here.”

He knows something about service, too. This former master sergeant spent 22 years in the Air Force, serving during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

“I’m grateful I’ve been able to serve my country. I’d do it again.”

Mr. Boman is certainly serving his community.

“He’s open armed to everybody — those who lost their spouses or feel lonely. He’s just always there to give them a hug,” Robinson says.

“He’s always happy and glad to see everybody. He’s wonderful, he’s a wonderful man,” says Eaton.

KSL gave Mr. Boman a $100 gift card for the work he does.

Grateful for the gift, Mr. Boman also wanted to get a message across: “There’s about 30 of us volunteers. We need more volunteers. There’s a lot of ladies, but we need more men!”