Former resident, research chemist, musician
James R. Boyack, Ph.D, age 79, of Hampton, N.H., died surrounded by his family Thursday, August 7, 2014, at the Hyder Family Hospice House in Dover, N.H.
He was born in Spanish Fork, Utah, in 1934, son of Ray M. and Kate (Tippets) Boyack. Jim was a Hampton resident for the past 15 years, previously residing in the Massachusetts towns of Lexington and Harvard.
He was a research physical chemist who worked for many years for the Polaroid Corporation, where he did pioneering work on instant film and digital photography. Prior to that he worked at General Electric and helped to develop the fuel cell for the Gemini Rockets. He was a talented musician, playing the trombone in the University of Utah Marching Band and the U.S. Army Band in the Army Reserves. He pursued his passion for music playing trombone, flugelhorn, and baritone horn in various community bands, German bands, and the occasional Roma Band.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Gerlinde (Fritzen) Boyack of Hampton, N.H.; his son J. Evan Boyack and his wife Debbie; his three daughters, Dr. Cindy Boyack, Heidi B. Barba and her husband John, Tonia B. Kopp and her husband Steve; his grandchildren, Stefanie, Ryan, Larissa, Isabella, and Jessica; his brothers, Wally, George, and David Boyack; his sister Anne Prestwich; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service was held Aug. 13, 2014, in the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home in Hampton, N.H. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the NOVA broadcast, c/o, New Hampshire Public Television, 268 Mast Road, Durham, NH 03824 (www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/). Visit www.RemickGendron.com to view Jim’s memorial website and to sign the tribute wall.
