Harry "Hap" Raymond Boyd Jr.

Harry “Hap” Raymond Boyd, Jr. passed away on Wednesday February 17th, 2021 in Austin, TX at the age of 82. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne, daughter Kimberly Reese married to Scott Reese, son Timothy Boyd married to Karen Boyd, and daughter Jennifer Pencis married to Christopher Pencis. He is also survived by his six grandchildren, Patrick Reese, Jennifer Reese, Collyn Boyd, Jacob Boyd, Emily Pencis, Nathaniel Pencis, and his two great-grandchildren, Karter Reese, son of Jennifer Reese, and Wyatt Reese, son of Patrick and Lauren Reese.

Hap attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and received a Master’s Degree in Mathematics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He would later return to West Point as an instructor of Mathematics.

Hap’s life was punctuated by several historical events. As the son of an Army officer he was present at Oahu Island, Hawaii when Pearl Harbor was bombed. While enrolled at West Point, he attended General McArthur’s famous speech entitled “Duty, Honor, Country”, as well as a commencement address performed by President Kennedy at his graduation.

He served his country for 20 years in the U.S. Army, retiring in 1976 at the rank of Major after teaching at West Point for three years. He worked as a structural engineer for many years after retiring from the army, and later became a professor of mathematics once more, teaching statistics at Armstrong college.

Hap lived by his college motto: Duty, Honor, Country. It was his life. He was a devoted friend, husband, father, and grandfather. He loved, spoiled, and took much joy in, his many dogs over the years and they were all deeply attached to him. He also loved woodworking, leaving behind countless pieces of furniture which were gifted to family and friends. Hap relished the Savannah waters and his boats, usually taking his dogs out with him.

A heavily decorated officer in the Army, Hap served two terms overseas in Vietnam. Members of his company personally credited him with saving their lives and reached out to his wife expressing their gratitude for his command. During his second tour, he was so respected by the native Montagnard people with whom he worked that they ceremonially inducted him into their tribe.

He was a devoted member of the St. Francis of the Islands Episcopal Church, having designed and built their current sanctuary and served as Senior Warden. He also held a seat in Georgia's Diocesan Council and served as their president for some time.

A service will be held at a later date when it is safer to travel and gather. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Francis of the Islands Episcopal Church or the Carolina Basset Rescue.

Hap will be fondly missed by his family and many friends.

Excerpts from Romans 8: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

“If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”