David T. (for Trouble) Boyer, 73, of Bath, PA died Friday, November 11, 2016 on the inpatient hospice unit of LehighValley Hospital, on his own terms, in his own way. His final days were spent surrounded by his family. He shared what was important to him, what his family had meant to him, and moved on.
David’s life took him over many miles and paths in his 73 years. Born on July 29, 1943, he was the youngest child of the late S. David and Dorothy (Buss) Boyer. As a Boy Scout, he received the Pro Deo et Patria Lutheran Scouting award, the Order of the Arrow and became an Eagle Scout. He was a college student who realized that college wasn’t for him. Not for lack of trying, more for lack of interest. He loved to read, just not textbooks. His extensive home library is a testament to his curiosity and love of reading. David met his wife Suzanne while they both were employed at the Dixie Cup in Easton. He was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Germany. Following his return, he began a long career with AT&T. He and Suzanne soon started marking the miles of parenthood. Their three daughters, Rachel, Jennifer and Sue were born in Pennsylvania. Their son, David S., was born in “Wild Wonderful” West Virginia, where David had been transferred. During their four years in West Virginia, the Boyer family logged many mountain miles during nearly weekly family rides through the hills of West Virginia in one of many Volkswagen buses owned by David and Suzanne.
In 1981, AT&T transferred David to New Jersey. He spent 19 of his 33 years with AT&T commuting from Easton to a number of different locations in New Jersey. Following his retirement, he took a job with, as he liked to call it, an “escort service.” He drove a truck that accompanied oversized loads that were being transported from one place to another. David and the two trucks he used for this work logged more than three quarters of a million miles “escorting” wide loads. This work also fed his curiosity about how things worked and how things were built. Often times, the loads he escorted were large pieces of construction equipment, helicopters and boats. A group was born from his escort excursions. David and a few friends would go on “OGRTs.” “Old Guys Road Trips” to explore places of interest that David had come across during his travels and wanted to share. But highway miles weren’t enough. David bought himself a speeder car, a vehicle that had historically been used on railroad tracks to move work crews and to inspect tracks, and joined a national club of fellow owners. This group would often gather together and ride the rails in their speeder cars. For many years, David was a member of the Delaware & Potomac Rivers Paddling Association. Over the course of his life, he paddled hundreds of miles in his canoe. David appreciated things that were more than just what met the eye. He took a second look at things that others might simply glance over. While stationed in Germany, he purchased a Volkswagen bug, installed a Porsche engine into it and went roaring down the Autobahn. The car was understated, but there was much more to it than met the eye. He enjoyed this modified car so much, he had it shipped home.
David loved a lot of things. He loved to be outside. He loved to find jobs to do with his tractors. He loved music. He loved to sing. He loved to learn and ask questions and explore. He was curious and he was interested. But most of all, he loved his family. He loved the inside family jokes. He loved to laugh and make others laugh. He loved his wife, his children and his grandchildren, each of them for who they were, not for who he hoped they would be. And his family loved him. For who he was: interested, curious and funny. But most of all for his unconditional support, love and sense of fun. And they love him for living his life on his own terms, in his own way.
David is loved and missed by wife Suzanne; daughter Rachel, her children Ryan and Colin, her husband Jeff; daughter Jennifer and her son Nolan; daughter Sue; and son David S. and his partner Lisa; in addition to many friends and family members and more than a few grandpets.
Services are private. Memorial contributions may be made to www.JimmyV.org or the Lehigh Valley Hospice, Inpatient Unit, Lehigh Valley Hospital, 17th and Chew Sts., Allentown. Offer online condolences go to www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
