Sheriff Rod D. Boyd, of Jordan (formerly of Farmington), passed away on October 5, 2015 at the age of 85. A Celebration of Life Service is Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 2:00 PM with visitation from 12:00 Noon – 2:00 PM at Hope Lutheran Church, 201 Hope Avenue, Jordan. Reverend Steven Thompson will preside and honors will be provided by the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association.
On January 13, 1930, Donald and Olive (Schulz) Boyd welcomed their son, Rodney Duane Boyd, into the world. He was born and raised in Farmington and developed a strong work ethic on his family’s dairy farm. Rod was the oldest of four kids and loved growing up with his siblings, Marlene, Donna and Donald.
After graduating from Farmington High School, Rod got a job working for the railroad as a telegrapher and was assigned to the Rosemount Depot. It was there that he met a beautiful young woman named Beverly Genz. Rod and Bev dated for the summer, but Bev was still in school and decided that Rod was too old for her, so she ended their relationship. Rod still sent her special greeting cards for Christmas and Valentine’s Day every year, and his patience eventually paid off. Rod and Bev reconnected after Bev graduated from high school. Their love quickly blossomed, and they exchanged wedding vows on October 1, 1955. Rod and Bev settled in Farmington to raise their family. They were blessed with two wonderful daughters, Dawn and Yvonne.
By this time, Rod was working for the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office and had earned his Associates Degree in Law Enforcement. He was a dedicated employee and throughout the years he held many different positions. In 1960 he started out in dispatch, then was promoted to patrol, detective and eventually elected sheriff. He was elected to five consecutive terms and proudly served as Dakota County Sheriff from 1975 – 1995. Rod was most proud of his work designing the Dakota County Jail using a new concept, and creating the Mounted Patrol.
Rod always had a strong sense of community and a passion for service. During his long career with the Sheriff’s Office he also served on the Farmington city council and as a volunteer firefighter. Rod drove ambulance and school bus. He was a Mason, a member of Minneapolis Zurah Shrine, as well as a member of Farmington Lutheran Church. He was very dedicated to all of these groups. Even though Rod was busy with his community commitments, he always made time for his family. Rod provided a good life for his daughters and instilled a strong set of value in each of them. His wife, daughters and grandsons were always the most important things in Rod’s life.
In retirement, Rod and Bev began traveling south to get a break from the cold Minnesota winters. They found a wonderful spot in Mesa, Arizona and have spent the past 20 winters there. Family and friends would come to visit, and they met many new friends and neighbors down there.
Throughout his life, Rod had many hobbies. He enjoyed woodworking and was famous for his custom birdhouses. He even built a set of bedroom furniture for his daughter Dawn. Rod loved baking and delivering fresh loaves of bread to his friends and neighbors. He was also enjoyed technology and he and Bev built their own computer.
In 2000 Rod and Bev moved to Jordan to be close to family. Rod developed health issues from old work related injuries and had difficulty walking. He also developed lung cancer and beat it. But Rod was a strong man, and he never let this get him down. After many years of battling health issues, Rod passed away surrounded by his family.
Rod was a kind, patient and wise man. He was a rock for his family and a gentle mountain of a man. He will be deeply missed and remembered always by his loving wife of 60 years, Bev Boyd; daughters, Dawn (Donnie Smith) Williams and Yvonne (Dean) Perkins; grandsons, Cody Huber and Travis Huber; sisters, Marlene (Glen) Kispert and Donna (Roger) Paulsen; sister-in-law, LaDonna Boyd. There to greet Rod in Heaven are his parents, Donald and Olive Boyd; brother, Donald Boyd.
