Richard James Boyden

Richard James Boyden went to his Lord and Savior on January 25th, 2024, with his loving wife by his side at the age of 81 years old. Richard was born on Woods Creek Road in Monroe, Washington to Harry and Ruth Boyden on November 29th, 1942. Rich was raised on an 80-acre dairy farm and learned what hard work was which followed him all throughout his life. Rich was the youngest of four children. It’s said they save the best for last.

The dairy farm herd was registered Ayrshire. One of the three in Washinton state. He raised five herd of cattle that he showed at the Evergreen and Puyallup fairs. He was in FFA and won many awards with his cows.

Rich met Judy at the Evergreen State Fair and they started dating in their junior year of high school. They got engaged the summer after high school graduation. Judy was a dental assistant and Rich went to WSU to become a veterinarian. Rich and Judy were married June 21st, 1963. During Christmas break, Rich received a letter from attorney offering first rights to some land he liked. He had one year to raise the money. He convinced his mother that he would go back and finish the semester then get a job so he could raise money to buy the land. He got a job at Nord Door and the year went by very fast. Soon after the purchase of the land, there was an announcement for a new highway to Monroe and a realtor contacted him asking if he wanted to sell. So, he took a class to obtain his real estate license when he was 20 years old but couldn’t take the test until he was 21. On his 21st birthday, he drove to Olympia to get his real estate license and started at Farm & Home Realty the same day.

He opened Boyden Realty one year later at 1203 Broadway in Everett, WA. Later he built a new office at 1624 Broadway. Then built an office at 1429 Broadway in 1982. Until his retirement in 2017. In 1974, Hank Robinett joined him as a full partner and in the next 40 years they built over 600 homes and developed land together. Rich claimed that the two greatest things he did in his life was asking Judy to marry him and having Hank as a business partner.

Rich loved his grandchildren and enjoyed many years of watching them play baseball, soccer, football and horse shows. Rich was an outdoors man. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, hunting, golfing and traveling around the world. He spent many years fly fishing in Canada and other locations around the world. One of the most enjoyable trips was taking his son, son-in-law and grandson’s fishing in Alaska for over 15 years. It was the trip he looked forward to every year. He was member of Evergreen Fly charter, Everett Golf and Country club as well as Rio Verde, Arizona golf club. In 1983, for Judy’s 40th birthday, they bought a vacation cabin on Whidbey Island and enjoyed crabbing, fishing and clamming there with family and friends. Rich & Judy had other fun vacation homes in Montana, Idaho, Mazama and Arizona over the years. Every home was filled with love and laughter. Rich was a Christian and called Snohomish Community Church his home. Later in his life, Rich began to search for charity organizations in need. He had a giving heart towards children. Rich was always willing to help a friend or anyone that needed it. Rich will always be remembered for that beautiful smile he had and his great attitude.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Judy. His daughter, Christine (Christopher). His son, Steven. Grandchildren, Joshua, Jared (Helena), Allison (Brian), Nathan, Derek, Matthew and Lucas. Great-grandson, Maddix. Brother, Bob and sister, Jeanette.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Ruth. Brother, Bill. Great-granddaughter, Emerie.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Boyden Family Autism Center via Providence General Foundation online or mail check to:

Providence General Foundation

The Boyden Family Autism Center

916 Pacific Ave

Everett, WA 98201

In memory of Rich Boyden

Richard’s celebration of life is on February 21st at 10:30am:

Snohomish Community Church

13622 Dubuque Road

Snohomish, WA 98290

With reception following at noon:

Machias Meadows

14607 OK Mill Road

Snohomish, WA 98290