Patrick Boyle

MADISON- Patrick G. Boyle, 85, passed away on Thursday, October 10, 2013. He was born on July 29, 1928 to William and Esther Boyle of Mauston, Wisconsin and raised on the family farm. He met Mary Ann Meffert while working at the US Armed Forces Institute in Madison and they married on November 5, 1955. They had two sons, Steven and James.

Dr. Boyle had a long and illustrious career in continuing higher education, in Wisconsin and nationally. He believed in an educated citizenry, earning a B.S. degree in education from UW-Platteville in 1950; a M.S. degree in Education/Meat & Animal Science at UW-Madison in 1954; and a Ph.D. in Extension Education from UW-Madison in 1957.

After college, he was hired as a county Extension agent in Iowa. This career was interrupted by the US Army. He served as a Master Sergeant from 1951-53 where he was an educational specialist at the US Armed Forces Institute. By 1958 he was a professor in the Department of Continuing and Vocational Education, UW-Madison. In 1966 he became Director of the UW-Extenson Division of Program and Staff Development. In 1969 he and his family moved to Ireland for a year where he was a visiting professor at University College Dublin; while there he established Ireland's first graduate degree program in extension education.

In 1983 Dr. Boyle was named Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Extension, a position he held for ten years until his retirement. In addition, he was Director of the Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Service. As head of the third largest institution within the UW System, he was responsible for statewide leadership of extension and continuing education activities within the UW System, including Wisconsin Radio and Television. As Chancellor, Dr. Boyle personified the "Wisconsin Idea" of outreach and continuing education.

Dr. Boyle served on many national committees promoting continuing education. Among numerous citations and commendations, he received the highest award of the National Cooperative Extension Service and the Friend of County Government Award. He authored numerous publications on continuing education and extension, including a book.

After his retirement from the Chancellorship in 1993, Patrick and Mary travelled extensively in the U.S. and Europe visiting friends and relations.

In 1996, Governor Tommy Thompson appointed Dr. Boyle to a seven-year term as a Regent of the University of Wisconsin System. He simultaneously served on the Board of Directors of the UW Hospitals and Clinics Authority, which he chaired from 2004-08.

As a young man, Patrick developed a love of sports. He often spoke of his experiences playing football for Mauston High School and UW-Plattville. He was, of course, a life-long Packer and Badger fan, he also enjoyed playing golf with Mary and his sons at Blackhawk Country Club.

Patrick Boyle is survived by two sons, Steven and James (Priscilla); three grandchildren, Erica, Clare, and Patrick, a sister Catherine (Tom) of Boise, ID, and many, many nieces and nephews. He was preceded by his beloved wife Mary Ann, parents, and brothers William and John.

Patrick Boyle thought himself a lucky Irish man -- he loved his family, his work, and his friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 405 S. Owen Dr., Madison, on Thursday, October 17, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. with Msgr. Kenneth J. Fiedler presiding. Entombment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. A visitation will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. and at church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until time of the mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Patrick's name to The Attic Angel Community.