Steve Boyd

1934 - 2024

Stephen Mather Boyd "Steve" passed away peacefully at home on April 7, 2024, at the age of 89. He was an esteemed lawyer and arbitrator, a devoted husband and father, a lifelong athlete, and a committed volunteer.

Steve was born in St. Louis, Missouri on May 1, 1934 to Adeline and Ingram F. Boyd, Jr. He grew up in Clayton, Missouri and attended Deerfield Academy, Princeton University, and Harvard Law School. He had a long and distinguished career, serving as a judge advocate in the U.S. Air Force in Japan and Taiwan; working for the State Department in Washington, DC and New York; practicing international commercial litigation and business law for private firms in St. Louis, Paris, and Washington, DC; and serving as an arbitrator and mediator for the American Arbitration Association.

Steve married Susan Forney in May 1964 in St. Louis. They moved to Washington, DC in 1967, where they raised their children and lived for over 50 years. They also spent four wonderful years living in Paris in the 1970s, and traveled throughout France and Europe. In the U.S., they enjoyed spending time in Southwest Harbor, Maine and Lake Tahoe, California.

Steve loved the outdoors, sports, travel, music and the St. Louis Cardinals. In school, he played ice hockey, soccer, and tennis, and throughout his life, he found much joy in hiking, skiing, tennis, and golf. In his 40s, he took up distance running and rowing, and completed three Marine Corps Marathons and three Head of the Charles Regattas.

Steve was a civic-minded and deeply involved citizen who was admired for his singular dedication, tireless energy, and good humor. He was deeply proud of helping to create and launch Princeton Project 55 (now Princeton AlumniCorps) to engage alumni in developing and implementing programs in the public interest that create real change. Steve also helped found the Character Education Partnership. He will be remembered for his integrity, fairness, fine character, generosity, and his legacy of a life well lived.

Steve is survived by Susan, his wife of 59 years; their three children Christopher "Kit", Elizabeth "Liza", and Charles "Charlie" (Kelly); five grandchildren Lily, Jessica, Laura, Fletcher, and Adeline; and three sisters Sally, Anne, and Louise (Ashley). We are deeply saddened by the loss of a remarkable man who was cherished by his wife, children, grandchildren, sisters, and extended family.

There will be a private memorial ceremony for immediate family members. Memorial contributions may be made to Princeton AlumniCorps.