Dr. Robert J. Boyd

Dr. Robert J. Boyd passed away peacefully on Friday January 24th 2025 at his residence at North Hill. Husband, father, grandfather, and distinguished orthopedic surgeon, he was born in Detroit, Michigan, on July 1, 1930, to Dr. DeVere and Frances Boyd. He had a warm and caring nature and was inspired to pursue medicine by his father who was also a physician.

Dr. Boyd was proud of his life of service to his patients and the Mass General Hospital (MGH).  He dedicated himself to patient care, medical education, and research, and found the time he spent getting to know his patients and caring for them over the years to be especially satisfying.

After graduating from Harvard College in 1952 and McGill Medical School in 1956, he completed an internship at San Francisco General Hospital before serving as a captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in Germany. He later pursued an NIH Research Fellowship at Stanford Medical School, where he contributed to advancements in the study of cerebral hypothermia.

Dr. Boyd returned to Boston to complete his Harvard orthopedic residency before joining the orthopedic staff at MGH. Over the course of his four decades there, he practiced general orthopedics and served as Chief of the Spine Service for the last 20 years of his tenure. He conducted research on vascular implants for hip avascular necrosis and the use of prophylactic antibiotics in orthopedic surgery. He published numerous papers and co-edited the textbook Trauma Management alongside Edwin Cave MD and John Burke MD.

Dr. Boyd played a key role in shaping the future of the MGH community. He served as Chief of the Medical Staff for two years, helped develop the MGH Physician’s Corporation (now the Mass General Physician’s Organization), and was a representative to the General Executive Committee and the Hospital’s Board of Trustees.

Dr. Boyd shared a great love with his beloved wife, Sandy, whom he treasured deeply. High school sweethearts, they danced and laughed and held each other’s hands through 70 years of marriage and raising their two daughters.

An avid traveler, Dr. Boyd delighted in exploring the world with family and friends. His musical talents as a trumpet player, choral singer, and soloist brought joy to many, and he cherished his involvement with the Harvard Music Society.

Dr. Boyd is survived by his daughters Liz Colvin (Randy) and Sarah Davis (Staige), his grandchildren Samuel Trafidlo, Delaney Spink and Everett Spink, as well as Jeff Colvin. He was predeceased by his brother, DeVere R. Boyd, and leaves behind his brother, Richard K. Boyd (Natalie).

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday February 15th at 11am at The First Parish Church in Weston, MA with a reception to follow at the Weston Golf Club.  For directions or to share a memory, please visit https://www.eatonfuneralhomes.com/obituary/RobertBoyd. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Massachusetts General Hospital or the Salvation Army.