This story is featured in the official Nevada Day Program, which can be found for free along the parade route this Saturday. Grab your copy for the parade line up, information about events, stories, and more!
Brent Hardin Boynton was the cherished only child of Betty and Hal Boynton, both teachers, in the small town of Pampa, Texas in the 1950s. His childhood was as ideal as his parents and two sets of grandparents living nearby could make it.
Years later he would finish college with a Master’s Degree in Mass Communication from the University of Texas. With his education and a voice you could listen to for days, he began his television career at the CBS affiliate, KOSA, in Midland Texas.
In 1989 working in Amarillo at KAMR, he met the love of his life, Patricia, and in 1993, after joining KTVN in Reno, Brent and Patti were married under a full moon and for the next 27 years, lived happily ever after. Mostly. And at times, deliriously so.
Over the years, Brent worked as an anchor, reporter, producer, communications director, assistant news director, vice president of news and production, media consultant and trainer, teacher, mentor and for a very brief time, a machinist.
His last position, Community Outreach Coordinator for the Reno Housing Authority, brought him the most joy. He loved being a part of an organization that changed people’s lives for the better. Helping the community he loved, working on projects from start to finish, he felt he was making a real difference.
Of the many titles that were printed on his business cards, the only title that had lasting value to him was husband, father, and friend. He felt no material success could make up for failing family or friends and it can honestly be said Brent never met a stranger.
Brent lived joyfully, thoughtfully, lovingly, vividly, hopefully, and gratefully. By any yardstick, a very successful man taken decades too soon. His family was and is devastated, but they are so very grateful to have been a part of this wonderful man’s story.
Brent is survived by his wife, Patricia, and his son, Nick, his mother-in-law Sue Hoesch, his brother-in-law Hank Hoesch and family, his sister-in-law Mary Ann Siekenger and family in New Mexico, and his extended family in Colorado: a dearly loved aunt and uncle, Frank and Betty Frandsen, his cousins, Hallie Jane Sheridan and family, and Victor Frandsen and family.
Memorials may be made to: Books for Kids c/o Sparks High School; Education Alliance of Washoe County; Make a Wish of Northern Nevada; Step 1 of Reno; the Eddy House; Foodbank of Northern Nevada; the Salvation Army; or any of the myriad non-profits who touch, mend and save lives daily.
Visit the Nevada Day website here for information about this week’s activities, events and more.
