Richard Boynton

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Richard Newell Boynton, who left us on August 8, 2025 in his 90th year. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, and an exceptional member of his community.

Born on October 31, 1934, in Long Beach, California, Richard was the only child of Bernard and Lois Boynton. He is survived by his wife Kaoru, his children Christopher Boynton and Denise Benjes, his 3 grandchildren Ryan Boynton, Kaya Benjes and Zane Benjes, his daughter in-law Diana Boynton, son in-law David Benjes, his cousins David Van Houten, June Paterson, Patricia Paterson and her children Mandi Browning and Heather Graeber, and many other family members and friends who will miss him dearly.

Richard lived a full life filled with many wonderful experiences, memories and life-long friends gained along the way. While attending California State College (current California State University Long Beach), he joined Pan American World Airways as a management trainee to pursue his dream in aviation management. His career took him to various corners of the world with positions in Berlin, Tokyo and Hong Kong; as well as in the United States, living and working in Chicago, San Francisco, Phoenix, Honolulu, New York, Connecticut and Los Angeles. Some of his memorable achievements included opening the first PanAm office in Phoenix back in the 1960s. After joining All Nippon Airways (ANA) in late 1980s, he was the driving force behind the introduction of this now well-known airline to the U.S. market, calling it “Japan’s Best Kept Secret”. Richard met his wife Kaoru during one of the many business trips across the Pacific, and they were married for 27 wonderful years. Throughout his over 40-year aviation career, he was well known and highly respected for his hard work, dedication, and unparallelled expertise.

Richard also had a love for home remodeling. After moving to Arizona in 1998, he turned this passion into a successful general contracting business for the following 20+ years. His incomparable work ethic and commitment to quality gained numerous repeat customers and dedicated associates who recognized him as more than just a Contractor, a Colleague or Employer, but a trusted friend and often an extended family member.

In his free time, Richard enjoyed golf as well as taking on many personal home improvement projects throughout his life. He was also an active supporter of the community and served as one of the founding members of Desert Ridge Homeowners’ Network.

Richard’s knowledge, wisdom, love and sense of humor will be greatly missed but never forgotten by his family, friends and countless others that he touched during his 90 years. May he rest in eternal peace now that he is with God and reunited with his mother and father.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday August 16, 2025 at Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary & Cemetery beginning at 9AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to any charitable Veterans organization or your favorite charity in honor of Richard.

Live Stream Link: https://vimeo.com/event/5307220

Recorded Video Link: https://vimeo.com/1109257929