Dr. Williamm. Boast

BOAST, DR. WILLIAM M. (1922-2009)

Dr. William M. Boast was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1922, but grew up in the village of Richards, Missouri. He was the only child of Susan E. and Guy Boast.

His life of education began when he attended Ft. Scott Junior College. During his service in the United States Army during World War II, he was sent for a year's study at Amherst College in Massachusetts. He then was stationed in India.

After his discharge in 1946, Bill attended American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts, and received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Missouri.

Then began his life of teaching, with his first job in a rural one-room-schoolhouse where he taught all the grades and kept the school stove burning all winter.

After moving to Colorado, Bill earned a master's and doctorate in Communications from the University of Denver. There he met Mary F. Casmon; they married and have four children: Dr. Mary Nolan, Dr. Robin Boast, Megan Behnke, and Colin Boast. At the time of his death, he and Mary had been married for 56 years. They also have six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Bill taught for two years in Kimball, Nebraska then for nine years was Director of the English and Drama Departments at the Otero Junior College in La Junta, Colorado.

After teaching at Oakland Community College in Michigan, he went to Washington D.C. to join the Peace Corps. He and his family served for a year in Mumbai, India.

Upon returning to the United States in 1968, he taught at the new Community College of Denver when it opened in 1969. He was Dean of Academic Studies and Humanities professor there until his retirement.

Bill then began another career as a very successful international speaker and authored three books including an autobiography.

The Boasts were inveterate travelers and made many journeys. Bill organized and directed several trips for groups of friends to Europe to study art, architecture, music and religion and to enjoy wonderful food and beautiful scenery.

Another of Bill's great passions was theater. He had experience as an actor, then taught theater and directed high school and college students. He directed several plays each year, and also frequently made hats, costumes, scenery, and did the stage lighting. He was the first director of Denver's famous Windsor Players.

Bill was founder of Christuman Church, served as its first Dean for many years, and then was Dean Emeritus for the last year of his life.

Bill Boast lived life fully and joyfully. He never stopped teaching, he never stopped learning. He changed people's lives.

The Memorial Service is Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 2:00PM at:
Fossil Trace Golf Club Ballroom
3050 Illinois St.
Golden, CO 80401

Directions:
From I-70 or C-470, take 6th Ave. West toward Golden
At the intersection of Jefferson County Pkwy & 6th, turn right
Take the first left on Illinois St. and follow it to the Fossil Trace clubhouse.

Memorial donations for Dr. Boast may be made to:

Christuman Church
c/o Boast
8805 S. Brentwood St.
Littleton, CO 80128

Please mark the donations for the CHI Library.