Calvin Cal Gerrish Boyd

Calvin G. (“Bud”) Boyd passed away peacefully on April 7, 2012 at the age of 90. His wife Shirley and daughters Janet and Frances were by his side. Calvin had been in failing health during the last year. He had been in the care of Hospice since December 2011.

Calvin was born and raised in Bend, Oregon to Clarence and Genevieve Boyd on August 21, 1921. His brother, Donald, preceded him in death in 2010. He held many fond memories of growing up in the Bend area with his many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. Calvin always looked forward to attending the annual Boyd reunion. In later years Cal compiled a book for his family titled “ A Youthful glimpse at Brooks-Scanlon Logging Camp”.

Calvin spent some of his earlier grades attending school at the Brooks-Scanlon logging camps, where the classrooms were railroad cars. He lived with his Grandparent’s for a time as well, so he could attend school in ‘town’. He referred to this home as the “old Stone House”, which is still in existence today.

After graduation from Bend High School in 1939, Cal attended Oregon State University. During World War II, he left school to join the Army. In his four years in the service, Calvin was credited for participation in the Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns. He was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, Victory Medal, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, and Good Conduct medal.

After his service, Calvin attended the University of Oregon. He received his Bachelor of Science in 1948. He later attended the University of Washington for a couple of years, to study Russian.

Calvin met his wife Shirley (Larson) where they were both employed at the Multnomah County Welfare Department in Portland, Oregon. They were married a few months later on May 6th, 1950. They would have celebrated the 62nd Anniversary this year.

Cal and Shirley moved several times in their early years of marriage. They live in Seattle, Spokane and settled for a short time in La Grande, Oregon where they operated his parent’s Dairy Queen. In those days, only vanilla ice cream was sold, and Cal and Shirley were able to perfect the DQ ‘curly Q’. In August 1954, their first child Janet was born.

Calvin was eventually employed as Personnel Manager for the Bureau of Land Management. In 1960, while living in Marysville, California their second daughter, Frances, was born. The family settled in Portland, Oregon where Calvin continued his employment with the BLM until his retirement in 1980.

After retirement, Cal and Shirley enjoyed traveling with their trailer to Arizona and many other locations. They spent many summers at their property near Spray, Oregon trimming trees, piling brush and attending fiddling and bluegrass concerts. He waged battle on the porcupines there and offered five dollars to Matt, Mitch and Mike if they would ‘get’ one.

Cal is survived by his wife Shirley, daughter Janet (Roger) Ficek and their children Matt, Mitch (Anna) and Mike (Jen), daughter Frances (Lee) Dunn and their daughter’s Analee and Nina (including Lee’s children Mindi and Kari) and many nieces, nephews, and great grandchildren.

Cal was an avid runner for many years and participated in many Master’s Track Meets and Half Marathons. He loved the outdoors and took his family on many ‘out back’ wilderness camping trips, the higher the terrain, the better! His daughters remember fondly prodding Dad to sing the chorus of “the Witch Doctor” with them on these outings. He was also an avid reader, with history and politics being a couple of his favorites. In his later years, Calvin enjoyed discussing books with his local library reading club. Calvin received several science and astronomy periodicals. He purchased a telescope to enjoy star gazing. He enjoyed classical music, blue grass, and old cowboy tunes and the family was thrilled when he would play his harmonica!

Other fond memories of Dad:

“Bud” was Cal’s nickname from early on, given to him by his Aunt Dorothy. He gained the nickname ‘Great Grandpa Cowboy’ when Hayden mistook ‘Cal Boyd ‘ for ‘Cowboy’.

Calvin’s House Rules:

• Don’t talk at the dinner table during the evening news (thank you Lynelle for remembering that one ! )

• When the yard needs to be mowed, Janet and Frances are to pick up all pinecones and branches, and then edge the yard (by hand!.)

• 30 minutes of TV was the limit for kids!

• Sweep the floor, shake the rugs, and do the dishes every night (there will be an inspection!)

• 5 minute showers and phone calls were enough for teenage girls!!

• Turn that racket (music) down!

This is all in fun, as we would tease Dad in later years about his rules….we love him !