Theodore R. Boyett

Theodore Roosevelt Boyett, Jr., son of Theodore Roosevelt Boyett, Sr. and Juanita (Wilson) Boyett and known affectionately as "Old Man" and "Mr. Finder," passed away August 23, 2025, at home after an intense four-month wrestle with leukemia.

Born in Missouri, he graduated from Palo Alto High School in California and later lived in Nevada, Oregon, Georgia, Greece, and Wisconsin. He spent the last thirty-five years in Rhode Island and retired as the Aquatics Director at the University of Rhode Island.

He loved Jesus Christ, his family, teaching, scuba diving, mowing on his ride-on mower, the 7-11 store, a certain T.V. channel, serving others, following politics, and relaxing on the beach.

A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, he most recently served as President of the Westerly RI Branch in the New London CT Stake and as a senior service missionary with his wife, Laurie.

He progressed from a novice scuba diver to a NAUI instructor and loved taking groups of his students from Georgia State University to the Florida Keys or Cozumel for their final check out dives. Besides scuba he taught first aid, CPR, swimming, lifeguarding, and the certified pool operator courses. He also was an expert witness in multiple drowning cases. His lifelong career in aquatics began as a sixteen year old lifeguard in Palo Alto, California.

His interest in politics began at a young age around the dinner table and was influenced by his father's unsuccessful run for Congress in the 1960's in Southern Calfornia. He majored in political science at the University of Nevada and followed every political election obsessively. He graduated from Humboldt State College and went on to receive a Masters degree in education from Stanford University.

His most interesting job was a two year stint working as the Assistant Athletic Director at The American College in Greece in Athens. He and his wife took every opportunity to visit much of Greece during his stay there.

He thought his jokes and lighthearted comments were funny, cracking them as often as he could with doctors and nurses and anyone else who would listen. Only a select few appreciated his bantering but he never quit trying to make them smile.

His parting comment to every 7-11 cashier, grocery store clerk, and solicitating phone caller was always the same. "Put a lot of joy in the rest of your day and even more when your shift ends."

He leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Laurie, and three children: Jesse Boyett-Anderson, MD (Kevin), John Boyett (Jennifer), and Teddie Pesch (Josh). His six grandchildren are Evelyn and Oliver Anderson and Theo, Ava, Elsa, and Josie Pesch.

He had eight siblings: Carol Peirce (deceased), Mary Rosenthal (Mike), Susan Boyett-Downey (Aiden) (deceased), Andrew Boyett, Bill Boyett, Dan Boyett (Cindy), Victoria Schonhoff (Mark) and Doug Boyett (deceased). His best buddies were Greg, Jesse, Bud and Doug.

Rather than donating money to a worthy cause in his memory he would hope that everyone would be more compassionate and understanding with those they associate with.

He will be missed.