Robert "Sam" Cecil Boswell

Robert "Sam" Cecil Boswell, son of Cecil Olin Boswell and Bonita Mary Barror, passed away on Apr. 15, 2025, and entered into eternity. A beloved father, grandfather, friend, and school teacher, Sam is survived by his children Mary Boswell, Sarah Olaya (Oscar Olaya), Robert Boswell, his grandson London Boswell, his sister Mary Clifton, his brother Jerry Boswell, and his sister Rita Morock. Born May 2, 1945 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sam moved to Hurley, New Mexico in 1949, attending public school from 1951 - 1959.

From 1959 - 1963, he attended Cobre High School in Bayard, New Mexico, where he met lifelong friends Mike Novotny and Mac Brubaker. A gifted student and athlete, he participated in the National Teener League All-Star Baseball Tournament in Pennsylvania at age 15, a very memorable experience. At Cobre, he lettered in tennis, was a member of National Honor Society, attended New Mexico Boys State, and graduated in 1963.

He attended New Mexico State University (NMSU) from 1963 - 1965 and Brigham Young University (BYU) from 1965 - 1967, became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1965, and graduated with a BA in Communications. He recalled a memorable experience interviewing legendary BYU football coach LaVell Edwards as a student. He met lifelong friends at BYU, including Brenton Yorgason (his future brother-in-law), Aaron Orullian, Mary Marks, Gary Tomsic, Don Call, and Gwen Yates.

He served a church mission in Uruguay from 1967 - 1969, where he acquired a strong love of Latin American history and culture, and met lifelong friends Denny Lambert and Paul Roach. Returning to BYU in 1969, he earned master's degrees in Education and in Latin American Studies. On July 31, 1973, Sam married in the Manti, Utah Temple. After serving in the Army as an officer from 1976 - 1978, he served in the Army Reserves, and obtained a graduate certificate from the University of Texas at Austin in 1978.

In 1979, he, his wife, and young daughter moved to Salinas, California where they lived for three and a half years. In 1983, Sam and his family moved to Virginia while working at the Pentagon on South American affairs. He taught English as a Second Language for 10 years at Gadsden High School in Anthony, New Mexico, starting in 1989, and later taught at Doña Ana Community College and El Paso Community College. Sam was well known as an avid tennis player in the Las Cruces, New Mexico community.

Throughout his life, Sam was known for his very dry wit, outgoing social demeanor, love of teaching, interest in learning about U.S. and world history, impeccable Spanish skills, and love for the Latino people. He loved his family deeply, and encouraged his children in their educational pursuits. His last years were spent in Las Vegas, Nevada with family.

During his life, he embraced ongoing personal growth and believed in the possibility of self-improvement in the hereafter. Additional friends who brought him joy throughout life include brothers-in-law Don Clifton and David Morock, Richard and Karen Hales, Rick Silcock, Shirley Lacy, Jack Flippin, Andy Moses, Johnny Hogan, Richard Ramos, John Harrison, and many others. He was laid to rest at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada.