Richard E. Boyer

Richard Edwin Boyer, retired professor of European history at the University of Toledo died Monday, February 22nd, 2010 in his Sylvania Township home. He was born May 8, 1932, in Saginaw, Michigan to The Reverend Dr. Jonas W. Boyer and Evalyn Hornback Boyer. In the early 1940s his family moved to Toledo where his father was minister at the Westminster Presbyterian Church. He later lived in Eldorado, Kansas and Fulton, Missouri where his father died in 1947. He, his mother and grandmother moved to Hannibal, Missouri, where he met his future wife, Shirley Darnell. They were married October 17, 1954. His academic career began at Kirksville State Teachers College now Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, where he attended on a full track scholarship. After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree he served in the Army stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland from 1954-1956. Once discharged from the army, he and his wife returned to Kirksville where he finished his Masters Degree in European History. Richard received his doctorate under the supervision of the well-known British Historian, Charles Mullett, at the University of Missouri/Columbia in 1957. Dr. Boyer taught at Westminster College, Fulton MO for one year and at Eastern Illinois University, Charleston IL for three years. In 1964 he accepted his position at the University of Toledo, retiring in 1993. Beside his field in Tudor and Stuart England he began teaching a World War I course as an unpaid overload. It became so popular it was later offered as part of the curriculum. Dr. Boyer authored several books related to his British History expertise, and was honored with several awards including the 1984 Outstanding Teacher Award at the University of Toledo, and the Distinguished Service Award from the Ohio Academy of History in 1998. In his thirty years at the University of Toledo, Dr. Boyer spent twenty-five years as the Universitys Faculty Senates liaison to the Chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents. He also served on the Universitys Faculty Senate since its inception in 1967 until his retirement in 1993. Dr. Boyer also served on the Universitys Athletic Board of Control for several years during the Rockets miraculous football seasons in the late 60s and early 70s. Among numerous departmental committees, he also served for over twenty years on the Military Affairs Committee. After his retirement, Dr. Boyer continued his involvement with the University of Toledo becoming a Superannuate Representative on the Salary Review Committee, and serving on several Masters and Doctorate Examination and Defense Committees. Richard considered England his second home. He and Shirley visited many times and lived there during 1988 and 89. London, the Cotswolds and the Cornwall coast were especially favorite locations. England was where he was introduced to antique Vanity Fair prints and began collecting them, as well as various other prints, with fervor. Through this hobby, he met and became good friends with others in both England and the United States who shared this love. Surviving are his wife, Shirley. Sons, Richard EdWin Boyer, Jr. Anne, Baltimore, MD, and Peter G. Boyer Amelia, Toledo. Daughters, Elizabeth Doogs, Indianapolis, IN, and Victoria Kaczynski Stan, Brunswick, OH. Grandchildren: Graem, Arielle and Ross Boyer, Baltimore; Sydney and Samuel Doogs, Indianapolis; Taylor and Spencer Boyer, Toledo, and Stanley and David Kaczynski, Brunswick. Also surviving are his sister, Virginia Ebersole of St. Charles MO and brother, Robert Boyer of Rockford MI, and many beloved`nieces and nephews The family will receive guests Saturday , February 27 from 4-8 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania near Corey Rd. Services will be Sunday, February 28 at 2:00 p.m. at Christ Presbyterian Church., 4225 Sylvania Ave. , Toledo, Ohio. The family wishes deepest thanks especially to Dr. Thomas McAlear and to Drs. Paul Schaefer, Tim Kasunic and Gopinath Upamaka for Richards continuing care through these last years. We are ever grateful to Hospice of Northwest Ohio who made it possible for Richard to spend his last days at home. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make an expression of sympathy in Richards memory are asked to consider Christ Presbyterian Church, which funds will be used in assisting families in need from our area. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.