Donald Loren Boyd PhD.

Donald Loren Boyd, Ph.D., of Rochester, New York, age 84, passed away on September 1, 2025, at Strong Memorial Hospital after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.

Don is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Mary Coblentz Boyd; his children, Peter Loren Boyd (Andrea Podhorsky) and Sarah Boyd Alvarez (Edwin Alvarez); and three treasured grandchildren, Henri Alvarez, Helena Boyd, and Annika Alvarez. He is also survived by his younger brother, Kenneth D. Boyd (Diana Boyd); his sister-in-law Rhea Edge, his brother-in-law, Lawrence E. Coblentz, and many Boyd and Coblentz family nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Faith Rippey Boyd and Loren Uverton Boyd, his older brother, Harold E. Boyd; and brother-in-law, Joseph C. Coblentz.

Don was born in Des Moines, Iowa on July 7, 1941. He developed a lifelong love of learning, and a character marked by perseverance and a sense of adventure that guided his life. He graduated from North High School in Des Moines (1959), and received his B.S. in Mathematics (1963), M.S. in Mathematics/Statistics (1965), and Ph.D. in Computer Science (1971) from the University of Iowa.

Don's distinguished and dynamic career began as a computer science professor at the University of Minnesota. He later served as a director of a research lab at Honeywell, exploring the use of early AI techniques for smart home technology and control systems. In 1989 he was recruited by the Eastman Kodak Company, where he spent several years in Kodak's Digital Imaging business unit. After leaving Kodak, he became the president of the Rochester Institute of Technology's Research Corporation and eventually retired from RIT as Vice President of Research.

Giving back and serving others were central to Don's life. He was an active member of Third Presbyterian Church, where he served as an Elder and Trustee, and was especially involved in Outreach, particularly in building ties between Third Church and New Life Presbyterian Church.

Outside of work and service, Don had many interests and lived a very active life. He loved to play tennis, was a life-long runner, and completed three marathons in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Don was also a lover of music and live theater. He and Mary were devoted season ticket holders at Geva Theater and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and rarely missed an opportunity to enjoy a performance at the Stratford and Shaw Festivals. He was also a steadfast supporter of public media through WXXI.

Perhaps Don's greatest joy came from time spent at the family lake cabin in northern Minnesota. For over forty years, summers at Wasson Lake brought him peace, laughter, and cherished memories with family and friends. We like to imagine him there again now-sitting in his fishing boat, drowning worms, reading a book, sipping on a Heileman's Special Export, and drifting with the loons calling across the water.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Third Presbyterian Church, 4 Meigs Street, Rochester, New York. The family is grateful that Don's good friend of 40 years, the Reverend Dr. Roderic Frohman, will deliver the homily. Inurnment will take place at a later date in the Coblentz family plot at Spring Lawn Cemetery, New Paris, Ohio.

The family wishes to express our deepest thanks to Christopher D'Angelo, M.D.; Frederick Marshall, M.D.; Sarah Howd, M.D.; Shelby Cirigliano, P.A.; the wonderful memory care team at the Rochester Presbyterian Home: The Homestead; and the skilled, caring staff at the Emergency Department and the Palliative Care unit at Strong Hospital. Extra special thanks go to Patricia (Toi) Clawson, Don's long-time care giver; Third Church members and staff; and friends and neighbors-all of whom provided loving assistance to Don in his battle with Alzheimer's and Lewy body diseases.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Rochester Presbyterian Home: The Homestead (www.rph.org) or the capital campaign for a new sanctuary pipe organ at Third Presbyterian Church (thirdpresbyterian.org)-Don so loved the beautiful music at Third Church.