David B. Boggs

David B. Boggs, 64, Fargo, ND passed away after a brief and unexpected illness on Saturday, September 1, 2018 under the compassionate and dedicated care of the Critical Care team at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND. As Professor Emeritus of Art at Concordia College in Moorhead, he was a prominent presence in the academic and wider community who will be greatly missed. David was born in El Paso, TX on November 8, 1953, to parents Lt. Col. William Lee Boggs and Carman (Dougherty) Boggs. Due to his father's career in the military, throughout his childhood and teen years, David lived in and traveled all over the United States and around the world, including time in Germany and Africa. He then served in the military himself, returning to Europe as a Computational Surveyor. After finishing his service, David completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) at Oklahoma State University in 1979. He went on to obtain his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Painting from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. While at Oklahoma State University, David met Patricia (Pat) Bastion, the love of his life whom he often referred to as "the center of his universe." They married on December 12, 1979. David's graduate studies and early career took them on adventures to Colorado, Illinois, and Maine before settling in the Fargo-Moorhead area. David joined the faculty at Concordia College in 1985, having previously taught at the University of Illinois and the University of Maine at Machias. His early work in watercolor painting led to signature memberships he kept in the National Watercolor Society and the Watercolor Honor Society. Over the course of his successful career, David's work was shown in hundreds of exhibitions and a number of one-person shows with recognitions such as being one of twenty exhibitors for the critically-acclaimed State of the Art 2001; having work shown in the International Biennial Watercolor Invitational; and being chosen as one of thirty painters to represent the United States with work exhibited at the Kiso Kurosawa-Designed National Art Center in Tokyo, Japan. His artwork can be found in collections around the world. He retired from Concordia in 2016. Though he had an illustrious career, it was evident that David was most proud of his two children. He and Pat were blessed with a son, Sam, in December 1983, followed by a daughter, Abby, in August 1988. Beyond Pat, they were his greatest treasure; only to be matched years later by the arrival of his grandchildren, Loretta, Olin, Leo, and Lavinia. David was a talented artist, an animated storyteller, an inspirational mentor, and a loving father and friend. He touched many lives as an educator and was larger than life in every sense of the expression. He is survived by his wife and companion of 38 years, Patricia Bastion; his children, Sam Boggs (Katie Hines) of Delano, MN, and Abby Boggs-Johnson (Brent Johnson) of Fargo, ND; his grandchildren, Loretta Boggs, Leo Boggs, Lavinia Boggs and Olin Johnson. He is also survived by his mother, Carman Boggs of Oklahoma, and three siblings; Joe Boggs of California, Tamara Boggs of Oklahoma, and Michael Boggs of Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his father, Lt. Col. William Lee Boggs, and brother Steven "Bud" Boggs. An evening to celebrate David will be held on Wednesday, September 12, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. on the Concordia College campus. The evening will consist of a gathering at 5:30 p.m. and a memorial service at 6:00 p.m. in the Centrum, with a lively celebration at the Cyrus M. Running Gallery to follow. Casual dress is encouraged (including socks and sandals just as David would do). In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Visual Arts Scholarship at Concordia College. Donations can be made by visiting cord.edu/giving and clicking on the "Learn More" button under the "Give Today" tile. Please note the donation made in memory of David Boggs in the "Comments or Gift Detail" field. Gifts can also be made by phone at (218) 299-4830.