Willard L. “Sandy” Boyd

Willard L. “Sandy” Boyd

Iowa City

Willard L. “Sandy” Boyd died Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, at Oaknoll Retirement Residence in Iowa City.

Sandy was born in St. Paul, Minn., on March 29, 1927, to Willard Lee and Frances Collins Boyd. He grew up in St. Anthony Park with his older sisters, Betty (Biorn) and Ellen (Serrill), graduated from Murray High School, and was enrolled at the University of Minnesota before he reported to the U.S. Navy in 1945. He returned to the University of Minnesota earning a BSL and LLB (JD) and later attended the University of Michigan where he earned a LLM and SJD in law.

In 1952, Sandy started practicing law with the Dorsey firm in Minneapolis. While in the Twin Cities he met Susan Kuehn, a reporter for the Minneapolis Star and Tribune. In 1954, they married and moved to Iowa City after Sandy was recruited by Dean Mason Ladd to join the faculty of the College of Law first as an instructor in law and later as a professor of law. Sandy moved into the University of Iowa administration in 1964 serving as Vice President for Academic Affairs under President Howard Bowen. He was named the fifteenth President of the University in 1969 and served in that role until 1981. He then became the President of the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago and served in that role until 1996 when he returned to the University of Iowa to serve as a law professor and start the Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center with his colleague and friend, Richard Koontz. Sandy served as interim president of the University of Iowa from 2002 to 2003. He retired from the University in 2015 after 65 years with the University.

Sandy is survived by his wife, Susan, and children, Betsy Boyd (Bill Nusser), Bill Boyd (Diane) and Tom Boyd (Liz). He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Ross Nusser (Hope Mixer), Charlie Nusser (Rachel), Tommy Boyd, Louis Boyd (Sarah McEarl), Haley Boyd, Will Boyd (Maya Bassuk) and Katherine Boyd; two great-grandchildren, Harper Nusser and Thor Nusser; and many nieces and nephews.

The family is deeply grateful to the many friends, students and colleagues who have provided their support and wonderful remembrances. The family would like to thank Dr. Douglas Hornick for his exceptional care and attention throughout the years and the wonderful staff at Oaknoll whose friendship and kindness, unfailing devotion and endless generosity ensured his comfort for the past five years.

A memorial service will be held this spring at the University of Iowa Levitt Center.

Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Iowa College of Law (in support of the Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center) or the University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art.

Online condolences at www.lensingfuneral.com or to P.O. Box 167, Iowa City, IA 52244.