Richard Boyd

1949 - 2025

Richard Boyd
February 10, 1949 - March 19, 2025
Richard Boyd was very proud to be a fourth generation Arizonan. His paternal great-grandparents arrived in Jerome in 1885. John Henry came to manage the mine operations and Katherine (Kitty) (Christian) Boyd ran several hotels, the last (The Boyd Hotel) still stands on Main Street. His grandparents, James Fredrick (Fred) and Jessie Myrtle (Myrt) (Mickle) Boyd were both born in Jerome. Also business owners, they owned a mercantile store in Ash Fork, a motel in Williams, and for a short time, the Weatherford Hotel in Flagstaff. His father, James (Jim) Lester Boyd trained in the Navy as a jet engine mechanic and later worked for United Air Lines.
Rich's great-grandparents on his mother's side, Jacob and Annie (Hightower) Headrick had a large family in the Cumberland's of Tennessee. His grandfather, Bishop Clinton (BC) Headrick was the 6th of 10 children. As a young man, he moved to Louisiana to work in the lumber mills, where he met and married Rich's grandmother Pallin (Polly) Patton. Rich's mother, Virginia Lee Headrick, was born in Meridan, Louisiana. From McNary LA, the family moved to Arizona where in 1924 his grandfather helped open a lumber mill in the town which would become McNary, Arizona in the northeast region of this state. The family later moved to Flagstaff where he worked for Arizona Lumber and Timber Company.
Jim and Virginia Boyd were married in Yuma in 1942. They later moved to the San Francisco Bay area where Rich was born on February 10, 1949 in San Mateo, CA. When he was three years old his parents divorced. He and his mother returned to Flagstaff where Rich remained for the rest of his life. He attended Emerson School, Flagstaff Junior High and Flagstaff High School. In 1973 He graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degree in Broadcast Communications. He worked as the News Director at KAFF Radio for 14 years and was a member of The Society of Professional Journalists/ Sigma Delta Chi.
Rich had a lifelong interest in history. He served two terms on the Flagstaff Historic Sites Commission and chaired the commission for six years. He served on the Northern Board of the Arizona Historical Society and on the Board of the Northern Arizona Pioneer Historical Society for more than 30 years. His love of history led to his participation in Civil War Reenactment exercises around the state, along with NAU friends, Joe Meehan, Fritz Rush, and others, they spent many decades returning to the 1850's.
In 1972 his love of history led to his participation with other like-minded NAU students to form the reenactment group 1st Calvary, Company B., originally to be an 1870's oriented military group. Soon it was decided that they would become a Civil War reenactment group. The unit remained a cavalry unit until 1986, when it was decided that they would become an artillery unit. 1st Calvary became 2nd Artillery Battery B armed with a Model 1841 12 Pound Mountain Howitzer. As the years passed they moved into the uniform and equipment of the 2nd Artillery B Battery as it was stationed in Arizona Territory in the 1850's. Rich along with NAU friends Joe Meehan, Fritz Rush and others spent many decades returning to the 1850's.
Music was Rich's other love. He started singing at Emerson school and sang with different choirs until about 2020, when he was no longer able to stand for long periods of time. He sang with elementary, junior and senior high school choirs. In college he sang under Mel Kinney in NAU's Shrine of Ages Choir and later with the Master Chorale of Flagstaff for more than 30 years. It broke his heart to have to stop. He so enjoyed traveling and singing with the Master Chorale on choral tours to China, Great Britain, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chicago, and Carnegie Hall in New York City.
At a wine tasting event in Flagstaff in the early 1990's, he met Benita Ellen Bock. They married on August 23, 2003. Benita accompanied Rich on many of the choral tours. As often as possible, they tried to include wine tastings with these tours, especially in Australia/New Zealand and South Africa.
Rich was dedicated to Flagstaff, volunteering on many boards and organizations. He especially enjoyed his time at Cline Library Special Collections where he volunteered for over ten years. For his time there he was awarded the Arizona Library Association 2021 Library Volunteer of the Year.
He also participated in the Flagstaff Leadership Program (Class of 2007-2008), Flagstaff Federated Community Church Board of Trustees as President (twice), and Arizona Walk to Emmaus where he worked on numerous walks as Assistant Lay Leader, Talk Team and Cook.
Rich passed away suddenly on March 19, 2025. He is survived by his wife, Benita Boyd, of 21 years. Also, by his sisters, Helene (Boyd) Dannenberg and Jessie Lynn Boyd; niece, Jessie Boyd-Mankin; and cousins, Bob Headrick and Greg Headrick. As well as many extended family members and friends throughout northern Arizona.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday April 4, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Flagstaff Federated Community Church, 400 W. Aspen Flagstaff AZ 86001. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Shrine of Ages Alumni Choral Scholarship (www.foundationnau.org/boyd) or by check which can be made payable to NAU Foundation. Please include the fund name or the fund number (1389) along with "In memory of Rich Boyd" in the memo line. Or if you prefer to an organization of your choice.
Condolences may be shared with the family at norvelowensmortuary.com.