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July 31, 1930 - August 21, 2024 Clinging to the top rung of his elementary school fire escape, Art Boyle thrilled at the sight of his first airplane and promised himself he would become a pilot, an experience that would direct his life and fulfill one of his many, many dreams. Charles "Art" Boyle was born on July 31, 1930 in the heart of the Midwest - Dodge City, Kansas. He was raised in the small town of Russell by his parents, Alice Elizabeth (nee Goldsmith) and Charles Oney Boyle.
On August 21, 2024, Art died peacefully in Corvallis, Oregon, his home of fifty-two years. Art was 94 and had lived a rich and full life. Art earned his pilot's wings at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.
During this time, he married Clara Francis Ray, the love of his life for the next 30 years. With Clare following him, Art was stationed in Japan where his two sons were born: Michael Fitzpatrick Boyle and Charles Arthur ("Chuck") Boyle. When the family returned to the states for reassignment, Bonnie Clare (Boyle-Nordlund) was born.
And the first of thirteen, rollicking, devoted Irish Setters joined them. As a USAF family, Art and Clare moved around the States, as well as to the jungles and beaches of Panama. "Life with Dad was magical".
Art wanted his children to grow up understanding the world they lived in, taking in each experience they happened upon. At night he would ask them questions, usually based on his keen interest in history and science, to answer and discuss. Art was a man of great integrity with a profound impatience for intolerance and injustice.
Art served as a bomber, fighter and training pilot for 22 years in the USAF, including a year flying F4s in Vietnam and 8 months of B-52s. His final posting was in Minot, North Dakota as Crew Chief in SAC. In 1972 he retired as Lt.
Colonel Boyle and the family moved to Corvallis, Oregon. From there Art earned his master's degree in Horticulture at OSU and then worked as field representative for Agripac, retiring a second time at the age of 70. Clara Ray-Boyle died unexpectedly in 1984.
In his grief, Art turned to The Willamette Week to connect with the world again. The ad that caught and held him read, "Adventurous Spirit," and from there he met Diana Cleland. Shortly thereafter they were married and the family now expanded to include Diana's three daughters: Kristi (Hoy-Brown), Leslie (Hoy-Celestin), and Jennifer (Hoy-St.
Laurent). For their honeymoon, Diana and Art trekked around the Annapurna mountains in Nepal for several months. In 1986 they spent six months camping and traveling through Africa.
Art later joined seven EarthWatch Expeditions, including those in Lake Baikal, Russia, Easter Island, and Robbin Island, South Africa. At home Diana and Art tended their garden which included Art's beloved 500 rose bushes. They celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary shortly before Art died.
Art was happiest flying, traveling the world, reading, eating out, tending his garden, and being a renaissance man in his own elegant way. He loved to tease, have great discussions on many subjects, and to plan the next adventure (including canoeing 400+ miles down the Yukon River at age 76). When grandchildren appeared he famously advised them, "If a bear threatens you, just spit in his mouth.
" Art is survived by his wife, Diana, six sons and daughters, 19 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He is greatly missed. Sign up to get the most recent local obituaries delivered to your inbox.
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