Charles W. Boas Ph.D.

Charles William Boas, Ph.D. Retired Professor, 76, died Tuesday, November 12, 2002 at 9 a.m. at his residence following an extended ill ness. He was the husband of Frances Ann Allison with whom he had celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary on January 2, 2002. He was born September 5, 1926 in Harrisburg, a son of the late Charles K. and Laura (Leisenring) Boas. Dr. Boas retired in 1991 following a 23 year career at York College with the rank of Professor Emeritus of Geography. He had previously held academic positions at Michigan State University and Harrisburg Area Community College. After his retirement he continued to teach at Towson University and West Chester State University as well as research, write and lecture on his favorite topic of interest, railroads in North America. He was awarded degrees by Lafayette College, the University of Virginia and the University of Michigan and had been a visiting professor at the University of British Columbia. He served in the Pacific with the U.S. Navy during WWII and was later employed as an analyst by the Office of Chief Naval Operations during the Korean War. In the 1960's he was associated with a number of circus companies including Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey, Carson and Barnes and Sells and Gray in various administrative positions. In 1968 he founded Circus Kirk, an all-student production that toured for ten summers. At various times, he performed in summer stock and dinner theatre productions in Pennsylvania and New England. In recent years, he had been a lecturer for the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, the Strasburg Railroad Museum, the Pennsylvania Humanities Council and various other civic organizations. He was a board member of the Ma & Pa Railroad Society and the Stewartstown Historical Society. He was also on the Zoning Hearing Board of Hopewell Township. He held memberships in the Association of American Geographers, the National Council for Geographic Education, the Pennsylvania Geographical Society, the Stewartstown Historical Society and the National Railway Historical Society, Baltimore chapter. In addition to his wife he is survived by a son, Charles L. Boas, Austin, TX; three daughters, Laura C. Boas, Mary C. Boas and Elizabeth A. Boas, all of Austin, TX; two step sons; a step daughter; two grandchildren, Sarah E. Boas and Charles C. Boas, both of Austin, TX; and eight step grandchildren. Visitation will be 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Stewartstown Presbyterian Church, 16 College Ave., Stewartstown. The service will be 11 a.m. Saturday at the Church with Rev. Ronald E. Peirson, H.R. and Rev. Douglas M. Beltzner, pastor at Stewartstown Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will be in Stewartstown Cemetery with military rites by the York County Veterans Honor Guard. The J.J. Hartenstein Mortuary, Inc., 19 S. Main St., Stewartstown is in charge of arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Dr. Boas to York College Faculty Scholarship Fund, Atten: Development Office, York College, York, PA 17405-7199 or Stewartstown Historical Society, P.O. Box 82, Stewartstown, PA 17363 or VNA of York County, 218 E. Market St., York, PA 17403.