Boyd Franklin Munson Sr.

On September 20, 2020 we sadly acknowledged the passing of a loving and devoted husband and father. Apart from the final month, Boyd fulfilled his wish of living the remainder of his life within his beloved home. Although physical limitations of the last few years had restricted him to a bed, he enjoyed listening to his wife Margaret’s stories or listening to music as he sipped Champagne. They also enjoyed daily hand waves with their favorite golfers as they walked past by their home.

Boyd was born in Walla Walla, Washington, and was raised for most of his childhood in Clarkston, Washington. An amazing historian and engaging storyteller, he shared endless stories about his early life and living through the Great Depression. The son of August (“Gus”) and Edith, he had three older brothers Bill, Chet and Louis. Despite the difficulties of that time, his accounts were often filled with humor and about “making the most from what little they had”. He had an especially close relationship with his father Gus, who immigrated to the US after leaving Bergen, Norway at 15 years of age. Boyd so admired the love and respect commanded by his father. Gus implored in Boyd the importance of “working for yourself” and “learning how to talk with people!” to “make it” in this world. Boyd was also especially close to his oldest and half-brother Bill, who was tragically killed at a young age, by an explosion at their father’s meat plant.

Boyd was impassioned by flying and wanted to enlist in the Army Air Forces to serve our country during WW II. Immediately upon graduating from high school, he left Clarkston for McChord Field and was subsequently transferred to Biloxi, Mississippi for boot camp. He sometimes chuckled over his disfavor of summertime on the Gulf Coast alleging “everything down there either bites, stings or sticks to you!”. After being stationed two years in Germany, Boyd returned to Seattle to attend the University of Washington. He loved Seattle and spent prior summers working jobs there while living with his brother Louis. Boyd attended the University of Washington, and it was there he met his future wife Vivian (Balsiger). In 1951 they exchanged vows and went on to enjoy 49 years together in marriage.

Boyd began sweeping floors for the Seattle Robert Hall Clothes Store whose parent company, United Merchants, became the second largest clothing retailer in the country. Boyd quickly moved up the chain of command to manage the stores in Seattle and San Francisco. In 1957 he was transferred to Portland, Oregon and it was here that Boyd and Vivian built their new home. In 1964, Boyd reluctantly accepted a promotion to regional manager and moved his wife and three children, Lynda, Kathy and Boyd, to Detroit, MI. Before leaving Portland, Boyd took the family for our last visit with Gus. Dad painfully said his last goodbye, knowing Gus’s health was failing. Boyd nevertheless accepted his new promotion in hopes it might provide a better life for his wife and children. Detroit was prospering like no other city in the early 60’s. Over time, the strain of being away from the family to manage his regional territory, played hard on Boyd. The promotion required continual travel to seven northeastern store locations across three states (Ohio, Indiana and Michigan) as well as New York City.

In 1965, Boyd and Vivian made the hard decision to move our family back to Portland where they would begin a new career in Real Estate. He and mom had always enjoyed the idea of working in this field. They studied together, successfully completing their Broker exams. Boyd eventually became involved with land development and was gainfully employed, until rising interest rates of the late seventies compelled his employer to close their company doors in 1980.

In 1980, at age 53, Boyd determined to remain self-sufficient, redefined himself and pursued financial investments. He always loved the financial world. Subsequently, he studied for and obtained his Series 7 license. For the next twenty years he enjoyed meeting and helping people with their financial portfolios until his retirement in 2003. Tragically, Boyd lost his beloved wife Vivian in September, 2000 after her long battle with Multiple Sclerosis. As mom’s disease worsened, dad served as her relentless caregiver to make sure she could remain living in their home.

Boyd again found happiness after remarrying in 2003, to his surviving wife Margaret (Fischer). Together they traveled the world exploring the Caribbean, South Pacific and Hawaii in addition to travel within the US. In his final years, dad was visited often by daughters Kathy and Lynda, Boyd Jr and his wife Krista, and their two sons Bryce and Chace. Chace played the piano for him and both boys helped him shave and brush his teeth. Margaret described Boyd’s passing around 10:30 a.m. as “so peaceful” and said she “hardly new anything was even wrong”.

We are deeply saddened by the departure of our dear father. At the same we are comforted in his eternal transition and his reuniting with many friends and loved ones who have been patiently waiting for him. We remember Boyd as the father who always kept us safe! He was there for us when needed and made us feel we were his primary importance. If necessary, he was there to pick us up, provide a helpful ear and get us redirected on the right path. He enjoyed teaching us how to throw a baseball and football the farthest or how to kick and punt with precision. He showed Boyd Jr how to carve a winning Pinewood Derby car and served as his Cub Scout Pack Leader. He made every effort to see us do the things we enjoyed. He was a brilliant teacher who inspired us to “be the best at whatever you do”. And like his father, he was profoundly admired and loved by his peers, elders and even our own childhood friends. He loved to laugh and joke and would take control of any given room. Thank you, Dad, for all the amazing and precious years you provided us, and we hope to join you again one day. Deepest love and devotion.

Boyd Munson Sr was preceded in death by his first wife Vivian Rose Munson, his brothers Bill, Chet and Louis, son-in-law Keith Momberg, and is survived by his current wife Margaret, Boyd and Vivian’s children Lynda Momberg, Kathy Munson, Dr. Boyd and Krista Munson and their two children Bryce and Chace.