Dr. Lynn William Boynton passed away peacefully on July 25, 2025, at the age of 89, following a year of navigating multiple medical and surgical challenges. Throughout his final chapter, he remained a model of grace and gratitude, expressing deep appreciation for his caregivers, hospice staff, and loving family.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 21, 1935, to Dr. Ben Lynn Boynton and Elizabeth Katterjohn Boynton, Lynn spent his childhood in numerous cities, including Chicago and Glen Ellyn, Illinois; Madison, Wisconsin; Paducah, Kentucky; Staunton and Rice, Virginia; and Dallas, Houston, and San Angelo, Texas. Despite the family’s many moves, Lynn always returned to his beloved Little Point Sable (LPS) on the shores of Lake Michigan each summer—a place that remained his lifelong sanctuary.
Lynn graduated from Glenbard High School in 1954, earned his undergraduate degree from Beloit College in 1958, and received his medical degree from Northwestern University Medical School in 1962—25 years after his father and 25 years before his son, Melbourne, graduated from the same institution. He married the love of his life, Jacquie Duncan, in June 1958 in Metamora, Ohio. Their relationship began as a summer romance on the shores of Lake Michigan and blossomed into 67 years of enduring partnership.
After completing his medical training, Lynn served as Commander of Base Medical Services at Chicksands Royal Air Force Base in Shefford, England, and later as an orthopedic surgeon at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois. He found great purpose in orthopedic surgery, which allowed him to blend his love for mechanics and hands-on problem-solving with his desire to restore mobility to his patients.
Following the completion of his orthopedic residency at Northwestern, Lynn and his family moved to Sylvania and then Ottawa Hills, Ohio, where he practiced at the Toledo Hospital for over 30 years. He also served as a clinical professor at the Medical College of Ohio, where he mentored generations of orthopedic residents. Dr. Boynton was a pioneer in minimally invasive joint repair, introducing arthroscopic surgery to Northwest Ohio.
Outside of his medical career, Lynn lived a full and passionate life. At the encouragement of a neighbor, he took up running and qualified for the Boston Marathon in 1985, completing it in 2 hours and 67 minutes. He was an avid mechanic and antique car enthusiast, serving as a founding member and president of the Silver Ghost Association. He and Jacquie logged thousands of miles in their Silver Ghosts, including a 3,000-mile journey from Annapolis, Maryland to Monterey, California, in a 1916 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost, to attend the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The couple traveled extensively with their cars across the U.S. and the globe—including to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Europe—and participated in four Alpine Reliability Tours (1993, 2003, 2013 and 2023). Lynn also had a soft spot for Ford Model A’s and was active in the Portside Model A Club and Edison-Ford Model A Club.
Known affectionately as “Papa,” Lynn found deep joy in teaching his children and grandchildren the art of driving and repairing antique automobiles. He was as much a mentor in the garage as he was in the operating room.
After retiring, Lynn and Jacquie made Little Point Sable their full-time summer home, spending winters on Sanibel Island, Florida, and later at Shell Point Retirement Community in Fort Myers. He loved the beach, sailing his Hobie Cat, running wooded trails and especially being surrounded by his family and lifelong friends. At LPS, he served as President of the Association and introduced the community’s first AED program.
Lynn was deeply committed to his faith and spiritual communities. He was a longtime member of Monroe Street United Methodist Church in Toledo and later of the Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ. He cherished the fellowship and music of Sunday evening hymn sings at LPS’s Little Brown Church in the Wildwood.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Jacquie; four children: Melbourne (Lynn), Rebecca Montgomery (Bruce), Jennifer and Chuck (Jenni); 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren, with a third on the way. He is also survived by his siblings Irvin, Mel (Beth), Sylvia McGuire and Teena Gagna; as well as many nieces and nephews who admired him deeply.
Lynn will be remembered for his enduring love for Jacquie, his loyalty as a friend, his passion for learning and teaching, and his pursuit of excellence—whether performing surgery, restoring classic cars or running marathons.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on August 9, 2025, at the Little Point Sable Church. Following the service, friends are invited to gather with the family at the Thistle Dew Garage, 7655 W. Shelby Rd.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Community Food Pantry at Trinity Lutheran Church, 5631 Stony Lake Rd., New Era, MI 49446.
Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is assisting with arrangements.
www.harrisfhome.com
