John C. Boyer
1937 ~ 2022
Captain John Clinton Boyer, age 84, of Naples, Florida, died on February 5, 2022. John was the son of John and Reba Boyer, and loving husband of Betty Jane Savard-Boyer.
John said that all he ever wanted to do was fly. As a child growing up in Philadelphia, he was interested in aviation, especially jets, building and crashing many model airplanes. He participated in the US Air Force ROTC program at Penn State University and then served in the USAF from 1959-1967. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. During his service, he was a flight instructor on the T-33, and was also qualified on the F-86, F-102, especially the RF-101 "Voodoo", and was stationed in Europe for four years.
On Dec. 04, 1967, John began a 30-year career with Northwest Airlines. His first aircraft qualification was as a Second Officer on the Boeing 727 at MSP. Most of John’s career was spent based at MSP. His initial captain qualification was on the 727. He followed the typical upgrade patterns at that time; first flying the 727, then the DC-10 and finishing his career on the Classic 747 at Honoluu. John loved flying the 747 and spoke of that experience reverently throughout his retirement.
Curious throughout his life, John enjoyed learning new things; some of which included motorcycles, photography and darkroom, owning horses, flute, banjo, stamp collecting, sailing, zoo volunteer work, juggling, reading, history; (especially the Civil War and World War II), and furniture refinishing.
After his retirement, he continued to fly recreationally and learned computer skills such as simulated flying programs and Excel, the latter of which he used as the secretary of his high school reunion committee.
John was a life-long fan of Penn State football. He was also a fine conversationalist, always ready to lend an ear and a kind word, to share a good laugh, or an interesting observation. As a friend, husband, father, and grandfather, he is already missed by his large family and many friends.
John was survived was survived by his wife Betty Jane (BJ), who died on May 26, of this year, his sons Scott and Paul, stepchildren Chris Rossett, Cindy Payne, Cherie Margarite Stutz and Mark Savard and many grandchildren. He is predeceased by his stepchildren William, Gary, Robert, Henry, and Betty Jane.
Those of us who flew with John fondly remember him as being a most fine fellow and an expert aviator.
(~ Bill Day)