Marvin Boys, Called A `Giant' In Real-Estate Development

Marvin E. Boys was "an absolute giant in urban planning and real-estate development," according to his friend John Torrance.

Southcenter Mall, Tacoma Mall, Alderwood Mall, Redmond Town Center and the Microsoft campus all owe their existence at least in part to Mr. Boys. His skill at choosing sites and negotiating with many parties for land acquisition, zoning, traffic management, utilities and space were nationally known.

"He was one of the best consensus-building guys you'd ever want to meet," said Richard Eichler, a former Allied Stores colleague of Mr. Boys and now senior vice president of Safeco Properties.

"He was able not only to build loyalty and camaraderie among employees, but was a warm, likable person. I never heard him raise his voice. He had a good sense of humor and a charm about him . . . a handsome individual who was able to inspire trust in others."

Mr. Boys died Saturday (Nov. 22) following a heart procedure. He was 84.

One of eight children of a farmer in St. Peter, Minn., Mr. Boys moved with his family to a Montana homestead, where he developed a lasting love of fishing and bird-hunting.

The family moved to southwestern Washington when the Montana farm failed. Mr. Boys graduated from La Center High School in 1931, then worked as a truck driver until a friend persuaded him to attend the University of Washington.

Mr. Boys earned a degree in forestry engineering in 1939. Drafted to serve in World War II, he attended the Army General Staff and Command School in Kansas, served in the engineering corps in New Guinea and attained the rank of major.

"When it came to engineering or working with people, he was a very common-sense guy," said Eichler. "His experience in the military gave him great leadership skills."

A battalion commander who came to head Allied Stores Corp. recruited Mr. Boys in 1951 to oversee Allied's Northwest construction projects. Twenty-eight years later, Mr. Boys retired as executive vice president of Allied Stores Shopping Centers Northwest.

He directed the group responsible for developing and managing malls. He headed construction and expansion of Bon Marche stores. He also put together land packages that would become Alderwood Mall, the Super Mall in Auburn and the Microsoft campus.

After retiring, Mr. Boys, an avid gardener, began driving his pickup to Eastern Washington to gather fruit, vegetables and game that he persuaded farmers, fishers and hunters to donate to the poor.

"He didn't let obstacles get in his way," said Julie Wisch, resources manager of Food Lifeline. "He could accomplish great things, but also had a big heart for helping people. Since 1994, through Food Lifeline alone, he was able to secure about 1.4 million pounds of fresh produce."

Mr. Boys also enjoyed the Seattle Symphony, spectator sports and golf.

"He was very kind, very loyal," said his daughter Gwen Boys of Redmond, who recalled his fondness for building birdhouses. "He had a quick wit, a twinkle in his eye, and people loved playing jokes on him."

Other survivors include his wife of 56 years, June Wanless Boys of Bellevue; children Kaye Boys Kearns, Medina, and Kirk Boys, Issaquah; brother, Eathel Boys, Washougal, Clark County; sisters Elizabeth Boys, Portland, Mary Sinclair, Olympia, and Cecilia Davis, Seattle; and three grandchildren.

Funeral Mass is at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Sacred Heart Church, 9460 N.E. 14th St., Clyde Hill.

Remembrances may go to Medic One, 766 Bellevue Way S.E., Bellevue, WA 98004; Overlake Hospital Medical Center, 1035 116th Ave. N.E., Bellevue, WA 98004; or Food Lifeline, 15230 15th Ave. N.E., Seattle, WA 98155.

Carole Beers' phone message number is 206-464-2391. Her e-mail address is: cbee-new@seatimes.com