Remembering Professor Eddie L. Boyd

Professor Eddie L. Boyd, PharmD, passed away on February 25, 2020. 

Born May 7, 1939, Eddie grew up in Canton, Mississippi and after graduating from Cameron Street High School, enlisted in the U. S. Air Force in 1956. After completing his four-year commitment and receiving an honorable discharge, he completed the pre-pharmacy program at San Francisco City College then earned a Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of California School of Pharmacy, Medical Center in San Francisco in 1970. While there, he was awarded the Bowl of Hygiea, the first and only African American student to have received this award at this time. In 1971, Eddie accepted a position at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, where he served on the faculty until retiring in 1991. While on the faculty there, he earned a master’s degree in Statistics and Research Methodology from the University of Michigan School of Public Health. In 1991, he accepted a position as Associate Dean and Director of Research at the College of Pharmacy at Xavier University of Louisiana and remained in that position until 1993. He returned to the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy faculty in 1993 and retired with honor in 2003. While there, he designed the pharmacy intern program for the state of Michigan and wrote the continuing education program for that state. He also served as President of the Board of Pharmacy for Michigan. Eddie dedicated his life to community service, helping and mentoring students. 

When Dr. Boyd retired, his students and friends funded an Endowed Scholarship in his name at the Michigan College of Pharmacy. Eddie was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Drug Enforcement Administration of the US Department of Justice in 1980 for his outstanding expert witness assistance in a trial that resulted in the conviction of a clinic owner, physician and seven pharmacists for illegally purchasing, prescribing and dispensing controlled substances. He additionally testified in over 100 cases as an expert witness. Dr. Boyd has published numerous articles in pharmacy, medical education, scientific journals, as well as chapters in pharmacy textbooks. He worked at pharmacy schools in both San Francisco and Michigan to establish Minority Recruitment and Retention programs which led to the recruitment and graduation of approximately one hundred and fifty African American students. In 2014, Dr. Boyd and Dr. Leslie Shimp published African American Home Remedies, a Practical Guide. Eddie served as a docent at Destrehan Plantation, where he educated visitors on this subject. Dr. Boyd served on numerous boards and civic committees in San Francisco, California, Ann Arbor, Michigan and St. Charles Parish, La. A few of the boards on which he served were the Task Force on Health Services, San Francisco Bay Area Regional Medical Program; the Board of Directors and also Liaison Committee, Huron Valley Child Guidance Center, Ann Arbor, MI; Washtenaw County Mental Board, Ann Arbor, MI; Board of Directors, United Way of St. Charles, La.; and the Board of Directors of the St. Charles Parish Community Health Center. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Theta Zeta Lambda Chapter and also a member and served as President of Alpha Alpha Boule, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, New Orleans, La. and Gamma Rho Boule, Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was an avid golfer and shot a hole-in-one at Radrick Farms Golf Club, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

He is survived by his wife Carolyn Smith Boyd, son Erik Rankin (Julie), grandchildren Vanessa Rankin and Blake Rankin, sister Vnate Boyd Gallaread, and a host of nieces and nephews. If you would like to make a donation to the Eddie L. Boyd Scholarship Fund, visit http://myumi.ch/88dKK.