David grew up in Bethel, ME until 1956 when his family moved to Saigon, Vietnam until 1963. There Dr. Boynton worked in public health for US Foreign Aid while David and his siblings enjoyed a unique childhood in pre-war Saigon, creating cherished family memories and a lasting connection to Vietnam.
David graduated from Deerfield Academy in 1961 and went on to Tufts University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. In 1969, he completed his Degree of Nuclear Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, followed by two years of service in the U.S. Army.
From 1972 through 1997, David followed a career in nuclear engineering at Maine Yankee in Wiscasset, ME. He retired in 1997 as Chief Engineer, but continued to do consulting work for the Seabrook Plant and Westinghouse Corporation.
David enjoyed antiquing, entertaining, and spending time with his first and last true love, Florence. Together they traveled the country in their customized Roadtrek van, visiting far-flung friends and camping in the Everglades.
Although he traveled the world, David’s true home was Monhegan Island since his first arrival as a young child in 1948. He had a lifelong passion for the island, its people, art, history and nature. He took great pleasure in greeting the sea gulls by name, and his family is convinced they are all descended from the ones that David rescued and nursed back to health as a boy. In 1956, he was the subject of the book, “David and the Sea Gulls” by Yolla Niclas, about his boyhood adventures rescuing and caring for orphaned gulls on the island.
All of David’s siblings looked up to him as an older brother and he will be sadly missed by them, as well as by his Monhegan and engineering communities and his many friends. His family will especially miss his carefully chosen and unorthodox Christmas presents. We will think of him whenever we see a sea gull flying overhead.
David is survived by his siblings (and their spouses) Susan Koerber, (Kenneth Koerber), Willard J. Boynton, (Jacqueline Boegel), Douglas R. Boynton, (Alice Boynton), Sally J. Boynton (Ivor Specterman); cousins James Boynton, Judith Robillard, Cynthia Harward and Kevin Harward; as well as his nieces and nephews Sara, Heather, Christopher, Mia and Claire; his great-nieces and great-nephews Abigail, Sorrel, Hadleigh, Emmett, Ada, Sierra, Maya and Bryce; and by his beloved partner of 19 years, Florence Grosvenor.
A service will take place on Monhegan Island next summer. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.brackettfuneralhome.com. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to: The Monhegan Museum (1 Lighthouse Hill, Monhegan ME 04852); Monhegan Island Sustainable Community Association (MISCA, PO Box 303, Monhegan ME 04852); or Avian Haven (418 North Palermo Rd., Freedom ME 04941).
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