It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Jerry Dennis Boyle on September 7, 2025, at the age of 84. Jerry was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather who had enjoyed a life full of a successful engineering career, and for the last 30 years, travel and adventures throughout the world with his wife, Mary, at his side.
Jerry was born in Oakland, CA, and moved to Vancouver, Canada, as a young boy. In high school, Jerry and his mother moved to the Seattle area where Jerry attended the University of Washington, graduating with a B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering followed by an M.S. Degree in Environmental Engineering in 1965. After graduation, Jerry joined the consulting engineering firm of CH2M HILL and served at that company for his entire 38-year career, retiring as Vice President Senior Program & International Risk Manager in 2004.
Jerry met Mary in 1960, and they were married in a double wedding with Mary’s twin sister in June 1962. They were blessed by two daughters – Julie Christine in 1966 and Heather Marie in 1970. They enjoyed those busy early years in homes along the West Coast – Corvallis, Oregon, and San Diego and Newport Beach, CA. Jerry was a wonderful Dad. He was able to balance fatherhood, family, and career as a successful environmental engineer. Jerry’s natural leadership gifts were recognized by colleagues and clients throughout the country. The following are tributes from friends offering their memories of Jerry.
My Carol has quizzed me several times today as to why I was staring off into space. Each time my response was “I am thinking about Jerry and you [Mary] helping shape Carol’s and my life together.” There were many little things more important than chow lines. The one huge thing I recall was when Jerry and I changed roles with Jerry taking over for me as LAO Regional Manager and I replacing him as SDO Project Manager in, I think, the late 1970s. Jerry’s art and your travels kept me wanting to hear and see more. – Dave and Carol Evans
When Jerry was managing the Santa Ana office, he and I set about winning a design contract for the expansion of John Wayne Airport. After a couple of unsuccessful attempts, we won a contract for taxiway improvements and the new apron in front of the new terminal. As you might expect, Jerry was in the middle of the contract negotiations and managed to get the million-dollar fee that he insisted on. I think about that every time I am on a flight in or out of the airport. He was truly a highly focused detail guy with a good heart.
Sail on my friend. – Rick Luebbers
Jerry was my corporate water contact and advisor when I began my career in Reston in 1974. He was always my first call to learn how things worked and for advice as I learned about the firm and how to navigate the discipline system. We became good friends. – Mike Mynhier
My first exposure to Jerry was as a new Regional Manager, taking over Oregon from Mike Kennedy and a region not performing great. It was so interesting watching Jerry operate in meetings. He knew the financial numbers better than anyone and constantly frustrated Cliff Thompson with his knowledge. So fun to watch. He helped me learn the ropes. – Mark Lasswell
Jerry hired me in CVO, in a comedy of errors. Everything that could go wrong with the interview with respect to travel, dinner, etc., mostly did.
Jerry’s version: I was so impressed with how calm and poised you were.
Anne’s version: I was a stomach-churning mess-why would they want to hire me?
What a kind person. I am forever grateful. – Anne Kernkamp
It was a pleasure to have known Jerry and Mary since early days together in Corvallis. I always admired Jerry’s analytical skills and independent thinking contributions during his great career. – Bob Chapman
Jerry was a wonderful person to work with during most of my 30 years with the firm. – Susie Gaare
Almost 60 years ago, Jerry and Mary hosted a welcoming dinner for Joan and me on our first weekend in Corvallis. That dinner launched a friendship that lasted a lifetime. Over that time, our families shared many get-togethers; and I, like many others, appreciated the mentorship that Jerry offered me over my career. – Don and Joan Marske
His life-long friendships brought Jerry great joy – they enriched the man he became in life. Jerry and Mary were married 63 years. His interests and hobbies were many – exploring history through books, building model train layouts, creating stained glass art, woodworking, and bicycling with his San Luis Obispo bike club or tandem cycling with Mary. He always had a sketch book handy on trips, was a passionate photographer, loved travel and most recently in retirement watercolor painting. If it sparked his interest, Jerry was in! There are countless memories over those years that knit together Jerry’s legacy of love, loyalty, and faith. For a walk down memory lane with Jerry and Mary, here is a short video. [Jerry Boyle 1941-2025.m4v]
Jerry is survived by his wife Mary, granddaughter Jadyn Grace VanMeter, and his son-in-law Michael VanMeter of Pasadena, CA, and more extended family in the Seattle area. Jerry was predeceased by his two daughters, Julie Christine Goodbody and Heather Boyle VanMeter, and his mother, Grace Boyle.