Robert Booth "Rob" Boswell

1938 - 2025

A memorial service for Robert "Rob" Booth Boswell will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, at First Presbyterian Church of Fairbanks, 547 Seventh Ave. Rob passed away Aug. 9, 2025, with his wife, Ellucia, and daughter, Ronda, by his side at his assisted living home in Fairbanks. He was 87.
A lifelong Alaska Pioneer, Rob was born May 26, 1938, to Jewell and John "Jack" Boswell at St. Joseph's Hospital in Fairbanks. He joined his twin siblings, John and Marion Boswell, exactly three years later on the twins' birthday.
Rob's father worked for and helped manage the Fairbanks Exploration Co. When the F.E. Co. shut down during World War II, the family moved to Utah where copper was being mined. The family returned to Fairbanks in 1946.
Rob started second grade at Main School where he continued through his senior year as student body president. He lettered in basketball all four years and graduated with the class of 1956 at the newly built Lathrop High School.
Rob attended the University of Washington and graduated with a professional electrical engineering degree. During summer breaks, he returned home to Fairbanks to drive a tour bus. One special summer, he attended his 10-year high school reunion and met up with classmate Ellucia (Hodge) Growden, widowed, and her 2-year-old daughter, Ronda Lynne Growden. After getting reacquainted, Rob invited Ellucia on their first date - a day trip via his bus to return some students to Copper Center … thus began their love story.
After graduating from UW in 1967, Rob returned home to work for his uncle James M. Lake at his electrical engineering firm and eventually became a partner in Lake & Boswell Consulting Electrical Engineers. That same summer, Rob and Ellucia were married on June 29, 1967, and shortly after Rob adopted Ronda, "his bonus," as he loved to say. Two years later, the couple were blessed with the birth of their son, Robert Elliott Boswell. As the family grew, it was apparent young Robbie had a natural interest and talent for electoral work, much to his dad's delight. The couple celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary this past summer.
Lake & Boswell was known for their quality and quantity of work completed in the community as well as across the state. Some of Rob's projects included the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks; Fairbanks International Airport; Rabinowitz State Courthouse; and traveling to remote villages to establish lighting in new schools and on airport runways. He also enjoyed working on the new Rotary clock tower in Golden Heart Plaza - a project that, in later years, his own son Rob E. would work on through his own electrical contracting business.
With the passing of his uncle in 1989, Rob became president of Lake & Boswell until 2000, when the firm merged with PDC, Inc., to better serve the growing needs in Alaska and to guarantee his employees' jobs and benefits once he retired. During his time with PDC, Rob was involved with the electrical design of five Princess Hotels in Alaska.
Retirement in 2004 found Rob enjoying more time with his favorite people at his favorite place - family at Harding Lake. In later years, as his health declined, he still found joy as an armchair sports enthusiast (especially basketball), counting dogs at the park, and boats on the lake.
Some of Rob's contributions to his community and state were through his longstanding memberships in various organizations such as the MUS Board; City Board of Code Appeals; State Architectural, Engineering and Land Surveying Professional Registration Board; UAF Northern Engineer Advisory Board; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; among others. In 1991, Rob was honored as Engineer of the Year by the Alaska Society of Professional Engineers, and in 1992 he received a distinguished service award from the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors.
Rob also was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church; Rotary Club of Fairbanks, serving as president 1981; Pioneers of Alaska Igloo No. 8; and Harding Lake Association.
He was preceded in death by his son, Robert Boswell; parents, Jack and Jewell Boswell; uncle, Jim and aunt, Katherine (Boswell) Lake; brother, John and sister-in-law, LouAnn Boswell; nephew, Dane Andon; and other relations.
He leaves the loving embrace of his wife, Ellucia; and daughter, Ronda; grandchildren, Trevor and Hayden Boswell and their mother, Lisa (Morris) Boswell; sister, Marion (Boswell) Robinson and niece, Dawnie (Young) Knight and family; niece, Julie (Boswell) Werner; and nephews, John, David and Paul Boswell and their families; sister-in-law, Lani (Hodge) Howard and niece, Stacy Andon; other dear relatives; and several special extended family-friends, including the James Dieringer family and Daniel Stich family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Rob's name to one of the following organizations: FMH Hospice Services; Harding Lake Association; or the UAF Marion Frances Boswell Endowment (#80470), established in 1934 by his father with President Charles Bunnell in honor of his sister who passed during her senior year.
The family wishes to thank Hope Haven Assisted Living Home, LLC, Rob's "home away from home" with hard-working caregivers who became special friends, and FMH Hospice Services for their attentive, loving care of Rob and his family before, during, and after the loss.
Per Rob's wishes, his ashes will be scattered at his beloved Harding Lake in the summer of 2026.
Rob's golden heart was known for so much during his lifetime - his big, warm, welcoming smile; ever-present happy and easy-going nature; hearty laugh; darling grin; deep compassion for others; expressions of gratitude; good sportsmanship; steadfast belief in Christ; provider and protector; generosity without limits; unconditional love; and mostly … as a devoted family man. His legacy of love lives on forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
Rest now, dear one, in heavenly peace. Love never ends.