Francis Allard Boyer – 50th Reunion Essay

Francis Allard Boyer

Date of Death: 3-Dec-1972

College: Trumbull

From the Class Notes Archive: Fran was killed in a motorcycle accident in California. Fran had completed two tours of duty in Vietnam with the Marine Corps and had only about 90 days left in the service when he died.

From Bruce Plyer: Fran and I were roommates thrown together freshman year, then sort of drifted apart and decided to room together senior year. A great guy and a loving heart, usually the heart of any good time. Got one anecdote about the two of us going down to New York City to join the Navy (actually, the application to Officer Candidate School). We were squared-away wearing suits and ties. After coming out from the Navy review we noticed our car was missing and went to the local precinct to report it. Desk sergeant said it was towed and about that time the precinct head came out, and with a frown wanted to know if we were typical college protesters in the big city as anti-war types. We said we were trying to join the armed services. Well that changed his outlook, which brightened, and he took us down to the impound lot to retrieve our car. By the way, I was accepted to Navy OCS and Fran wasn’t—he thought it was because of the beer mug tie he was wearing! However he was accepted for Marine OCS. They got a good man. I wish Fran was still with us as I think it would have been great to see our development. And I lost a congenial fellow motorcycle rider. Kept in touch with Fran’s father ‘til he passed last year. Ah, the great Would Have Beens.

From Richard Butcher: Fran Boyer grew up in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. He and I both graduated from The Haverford School (Haverford PA) in 1965, where he was the class president and voted “Key Man,” which is self-explanatory.

We were freshman roommates in Durfee Hall. Fran played football at Yale for four years, as a substitute offensive guard and member of the kickoff teams.

After graduation, Fran volunteered to serve in the Army in Vietnam. He served for three years as a Lieutenant leading troops into battle. He was recognized by the men who served under him for his dedication to their well-being as well as his personal courage.

In late 1972, after having been accepted at Harvard Business School, he experienced a fatal motorcycle accident while on R and R leave on the West Coast. About 30 years ago, I coincidentally met his boyhood friend Bill Funk. At least in part due to our shared memories of Fran, Bill and I became lifelong friends.