YPSILANTI – Richard Reardon Boye, 91, died at Memory Lane Assisted Living after three weeks in hospice care on May 16, 2025. He was born on November 26, 1933, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Francis Boye and Mary Ellen Moriarty Boye.

Richard's success began as a youth, winning the 1948 Detroit Soap Box Derby and taking 6th place out of 148 racers at the 1948 Soap Box Derby World Championship in Akron, Ohio. This generated a lifetime of interest, volunteering, and mentoring related to the Soap Box Derby.

He graduated from Holy Redeemer Grade School and attended St Joseph's College from 1947 to 1952. After college, he served in the United States Navy until 1957. He then returned home and worked as the Program Director at the Boys and Girls Club of Detroit for 45 years.

A devout Catholic, he was a member of the East Detroit Knights of Columbus and the Catholic War Veterans.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Jerome Boye.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the John N. Santeiu & Son, Inc., 1139 Inkster Road, Garden City, Michigan 48135 (between Ford Road and Cherry Hill). The prayer service will begin at 7:00 p.m.

The following morning, Friday, May 23, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., a showing will be held at Christ the King Catholic Church, 4000 Ave Maria Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, followed by mass at 10:00 a.m. (north of Plymouth Road east of Earhart Road). If you are unable to attend Richard's service, you may livestream the service at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q7VcqjhdFQ

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Redemptorist Denver Province .