Boyd DeVere Holtan, 95, of Morgantown, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2023. Boyd was born on Sept. 17, 1928, on the George Holtan farm in Mt. Valley Township, Iowa. He was the youngest of George and Marie Holtan’s five children.
He is survived by his children, Leslie Parsons (Thomas), Daniel (Mayra), and Rebecca Sinclair (Jeff); and grandchildren, Emily, Sara, Seth, Eve, Cole, and Finn; great-grandchildren, McCoy, John Isaac, and Hannah.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Jane (Rees) Holtan; and siblings, Mavis, Joel, Herbert, and Wayne.
Boyd graduated from Lake Mills High School in 1946 with a two-year scholarship for Waldorf Junior College. In 1948, he graduated with honors and was accepted at St. Olaf College, where he traveled with the St. Olaf Choir and received his bachelor’s in mathematics and statistics in 1950. Additionally, Boyd graduated with a master of arts from the State University of Iowa and a doctor of education from the University of Illinois. He served in the Army Signal Corps, Fort Monmouth, N.J., from 1951-53 as an instructor and a research assistant in the Applied Physics Branch of the Signal Corps Engineering Laboratories.
In his professional career, Boyd worked in teaching and administrative roles from K9-12 in the Midwest and entered college-level education at the University of Florida in Gainesville. In 1967, he moved to Morgantown and served as a professor in Mathematics Education at West Virginia University for over 40 years. Known in this role as a “beloved” math teacher, he traveled to schools throughout the state to mentor future teachers in this field. In 2007, the West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics (WVCTM) awarded the first Golden Holtan “mini-grant” in his name to teachers of excellence to purchase classroom supplies for math projects.
Additionally, Boyd served as the West Virginia University Faculty Senate Chair for two terms. He sought positions that provided a voice in the direction of education in mathematics.
Along with his love of Mathematics, doing magic shows for the family, and WVU sports, Boyd especially enjoyed blacksmithing on his farm and doing demonstrations throughout West Virginia and Pennsylvania as a member of the Appalachian Blacksmith Association he helped form at Jackson’s Mill in 1978. He was an active member for over 50 years of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Morgantown, Elks Lodge, Masons, and the Suncrest Area Kiwanis Club, where he completed his last term as president in September of this year. Additionally, Boyd always held a special place in his heart for the farm in Iowa. Over the years, he would return to see the extended family of nieces and nephews throughout the area. His last visit to Iowa at age 92 inspired endless discussions of his childhood.
The family would like to thank all the friends and caregivers who supported Boyd over the past year: the medical professionals and Staff at The Village at Heritage Point provided a unique level of love and support. The family would also like to thank Amedisys Hospice for their kindness and professional services.
Visitation will be at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 309 Baldwin St. Morgantown, from noon on Friday, Dec. 22, until the funeral service at 2 p.m., with Pastor Tony Setley officiating.
Interment will take place at Winnebago Lutheran Church, 40029 210th Ave, Lake Mills, Iowa 50450. Once finalized, the details will be available at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in memory of Boyd to United Way of Morgantown, 278C Spruce St., Morgantown, WV 26505 or The West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics (WVCTM), ATTN: Golden Holtan Mini-Grant Program, 43 Seaton Lane, Charles Town, WV, 25414.
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