Boyd Von Nordeck Humpherys

Boyd von Nordeck Humpherys passed away at his home in River Heights, surrounded by his family, on Monday, May 27th, 2024, at the age of 97. He was born on April 28th, 1927, in Logan, Utah to Charles Rich Humpherys and Grace von Nordeck Humpherys, joining half-siblings Ceylon, Gladys and Evelyn. The family moved to a new home in the unincorporated area between Logan and River Heights. His father, Charles, passed away in 1940 due to injuries from an automobile accident when Boyd was 13. His mother, Grace, passed away in 1965. He always acknowledged the influence of his parents, especially his dear mother, in shaping what would become his character and resolute testimony of our dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Boyd attended the two-room elementary school through 8th grade in River Heights and South Cache High School in Hyrum, Utah. After discharge from the US Navy, he attended Utah State University, receiving a BS Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1949. He soon met and married his eternal sweetheart, Joan Eliza Smith, on August 21, 1950, in the Logan LDS Temple.

Boyd and Joan moved to Salt Lake City where he worked as an Engineer at KSL-TV.  Eight years later, he spent a year with Sperry Utah Engineering Laboratory.  The summer of 1960 found him joining the Radio and TV staff at Utah State University as Supervisor of Engineering, responsible for the broadcast facilities of KUSU-FM and KUSU-TV. Boyd and Joan purchased the family home and moved the family to River Heights to be closer to his mother Grace.

After 30 years at USU and with less hair and less memory, he energetically threw in the towel and retired. After a year of complete failure in re-organizing their kitchen (so he said) Boyd and Joan accepted a call to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, down under with the kangaroos, wombats and drovers in the Australia Melbourne Mission. Three years of idleness followed and Boyd’s adventurous soul next found them with a call to serve in the India Bangalore Mission. In this assignment they circumnavigated the globe in some 501 days and had many great adventures and experiences. It was a very memorable experience for them. After their missions, Boyd and Joan served for 12 years as ordinance workers in the Logan LDS Temple. Boyd served for many years as a counselor in Bishoprics, Branch Presidencies, the High Council, Priesthood Quorums and the Scouting Program. He was a dedicated and loving ministering brother to many families in the ward over the years and left a lasting legacy and example of service to family and friends. 

Boyd also served as the Mayor of River Heights during the 1970’s. He said life was considerably less complicated then and the major worries seemed to be skunks and stray dogs. He thought he was a slow learner because it took him two terms to become a scoundrel. His sense of humor found its way into every aspect of his life with family, grandchildren, friends and associates in social settings. 

Boyd had an Amateur Radio license for over 67 years. His call sign, W7MOY, will now be retired as a silent key. 

He was a chronic tinkerer, doer of unusual things, asker of many questions, believer in the Savior and in the truth of all things, lover of the outdoors, our Savior, Church, nation and especially family. Their home was always open to anyone and everyone, including friends from many nations. Sherman Yazzie, Valentina Begay, Eugene Peters, Cynthia Harvey, Amelia Comanche, and Serena Largo were welcomed into our home, sharing their love and lives and became part of the family.

Boyd is survived by his eternal sweetheart, Joan Smith Humpherys, son, Richard and Dauna (Seamons), son, Robert and Ann (Seamons), daughter, Nancy and John Rappleye, daughter, Judy and Alan Gibbons, son, John and Janet (Thomas) daughter, Kathryn and Mike Bullen, daughter, Jeanne and Clint Leyland and daughter, Janet Mathews. He was proud and grateful for a wonderful posterity and lineage of eight children, 42 grandchildren and over 100 great-grandchildren, recently adding one great-great-grandchild.

In Dad’s own words - “Besides a firm conviction of the mission of our Lord and Savior, what else of worth is there, in or out of this world? An eternal reward will be the blessing afforded by my dear wife of many years in bearing and raising our great posterity and tolerating such insidious capers as I have engendered. We encourage those who may be so inclined, rather than contribute flowers that are rather short in their beauty span, to share your feelings in a worthy cause such as the LDS Humanitarian Services, which will benefit the recipients and you both without a stamp of “best by this or that date.”

Really the best is yet to come!

Fac ut nemo me vocet (Hold my calls)”

Our sincere thanks and appreciation to Dr. Ben Thomas, IHC, and Aegis Home Health personnel for the wonderful and loving care of Dad in the past months.

Those who wish to pay their respects may do so on Monday, June 10, from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm at White Pine Funeral Home, 753 South 100 East, in Logan. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 pm at the Logan City Cemetery.