Owen Boyle

Owen Boyle lived a full and purposeful life, passing away at 92 years old on March 10th 2024. Always curious and bright, he originally went to college to become a doctor. However, he longed for adventure and decided instead to hitchhike across the United States from Florida to Oregon to become a logger. He had a menagerie of jobs including navigator on a tuna boat and installing radar systems for an aircraft factory. He met his wife, Fleur Boyle, while working at a tootsie roll factory in California. Fleur and Owen would have celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary this April. 

After some years of marriage and four children (Linda, Jenny, Matt, and David), Owen had the opportunity to go north to Alaska to become a deep sea diver. He found his life calling with the sea and became a world renowned diver for 40 years. He worked in some of the most dangerous waters in the world and recounted his time in his book, Diving Blind Into Danger.  At 85 years old, Owen was inducted into the Commercial Diving Hall of Fame. 

When he was a parent of young children, Owen and a couple of friends put forth a proposal to build the first pool built on the peninsula. In 1975 they sought out architects and decided on a geodesic dome - which still exists in Nikiski. Thousands of children have learned to swim because of his efforts. He also helped start the Kenai Peninsula Hockey Association so children could learn to skate and play hockey. Owen fought for girls to be able to join the Kenai Peninsula Hockey Association, which was considered controversial for the time. KPHA is a thriving association to this day. 

Owen was an avid athlete his entire life, coaching all of his children and grandchildren in hockey, wrestling, and boxing. He was in such good shape, he was still repairing his own roof at 80 years old! Owen loved music and art, and encouraged his children in their musical and artistic pursuits. It was always a joy to hear his boisterous voice singing and laughing. 

He loved each of his 11 grandchildren dearly, supporting their goals and offering sage advice. He leaves behind his wife, 4 children, 11 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. He built a powerful legacy on the Kenai Peninsula, and he will be missed greatly.