Boyd Pack, A.

A. Boyd Pack, age 86, of 218 Enfield Falls Rd., Ithaca, passed away peacefully at home in the comfort of his loving family, close friends and faithful caregivers, on Wednesday, May 03, 2006.

Born May 10, 1919 in Kamas, Utah, Boyd was the son of Dan Sinclair Pack and Indra Huish Pack. During WW II he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps's 20th Bomber Command, which was stationed in Europe. Boyd received an Honorable Discharge from the Army Air Corps in 1945.

He received a B.S. from Brigham Young University in 1940; and an M.S. from the University of Massachusetts/ Amherst in 1943 where he met the love of his life and future wife Peggy. He completed postgraduate work in the field of Meteorology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for the U.S. Army in 1942 and earned a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology from North Carolina State University in 1950. He accepted the Plant Physiologist position for Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in Windsor, CT in 1949, resigning in 1955 to become the State Climatologist for the U.S. Department of Commerce, ESSA, Weather Bureau. He served in this capacity for the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island from 1956-1959, for South Dakota and from 1959-1961 and for New York State at Cornell University from 1962-1972. In 1976 Boyd became a Teaching Associate in the Meteorology Section of the Agronomy Department at Cornell University, retiring in 1984.

Over the years, Boyd held memberships in the American Meteorological Society, N.Y. Horticultural Society, Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Xi, Alpha Gamma Rho, Odd Fellows, and the Lions Club. Boyd's most cherished membership was with the Christ Chapel in Ithaca, where he and his wife were founding members. The word of God coupled with the joy of fellowshipping with the Pastor and church members, made Boyd realize that his faith was the heart of his life.

A humble man, Boyd's accomplishments never shadowed the importance of family. He was proud to not only have a hand in raising his children, but gladly embraced the role of "Chief Entertainer" and head teacher of the many sciences. Upon discovering the joy that was brought to his three children with the purchase of their home surrounded by state lands, Boyd vowed never to uproot the children again. Their home was adorned with flowers, especially his favored Gladiolas. Vegetable gardens flourished as well and after retirement, this home served as planning headquarters for a multitude of trips, for Boyd and his wife Peggy, as the inseparable couple traveled locally and abroad. In recent years, Boyd's easy chair provided comfort as he enjoyed reading many books on history and the Civil War. With the assistance of his "book-shelf-building son", Howard, much of their home slowly transitioned to a library.

In addition to his devoted wife, Peggy, of over 60 years, Boyd is survived by two daughters, Sylvia P. Free of Mecklenburg and Janice M. Pack of Lodi; one son, Howard M. Pack of Binghamton; two grandchildren, Katherine Free of Mecklenburg and Andrew (Stephanie) Free of Waynesville, MO and one great-granddaughter, Allie Free. Boyd was preceded in death by his sister, Irma Peterson of Salt Lake City Utah.

The family will be present to receive friends on Friday, May 5, 2006 from 6-8 pm at Christ Chapel , 160 Graham Rd.,Ithaca.

Services will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2006 at 1:00 PM in Christ Chapel with the Rev. Steven Felker officiating. Prayers of Committal will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Cayuga Heights.

The family asks those who wish to make a contribution in Boyd's memory to kindly consider Christ Chapel, 160 Graham Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South St. Trumansburg. 1-888-534-5446.

Page Submitted By: Joseph L. Sibley