Courtesy of Elizabeth Peggs
JJ Boyce, former freshman civil engineering student, passed away over Winter Break in a car accident in the early hours of December 26, 2008. Memorial services were held on Rose-Hulman’s campus in the White Chapel on Tuesday, January 6, 2009.
Once again, Rose-Hulman is dealing with the tragic loss of one of its students. freshman civil engineering student James JJ Boyce, 19, was killed over this past holiday break in a one-car accident in the early hours of December 26, 2008.
In the early hours after Christmas Day, Boyce, driving by himself, apparently lost control of the 1995 Pontiac Grand Am he was driving southbound on DeRussey Road, north of U.S. Route 20, in Townsend Township, Ohio.
According to reports from the Mansfield post of the Ohio Highway Patrol, Boyce’s car twice went off the right side of the road before hitting a ditch, which sent the vehicle airborne moments before it struck a utility pole and overturned. The driver’s side air bag deployed in the crash, and Boyce was wearing his seat belt.
Courtesy of Elizabeth Peggs
He was pronounced dead at the scene by the Huron County Coroner’s office. The crash remains under investigation, but initial reports said alcohol was a “suspected factor.” Additionally, it is unknown where Boyce was going or why he was on the road at the time.
At Rose-Hulman, Boyce was a member of the football team and pledge of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. In high school, Boyce was a four-year varsity letter winner in football, wrestling and track as well as class president three years in a row.
Off the field, many of Boyce’s peers, coaches and relatives held him in high regard. Rose-Hulman football coach Steve Englehart mentioned how many times coaches can have an impact on a player, but what isn’t noticed as often is how a player can have an effect on the coach. Englehart talked about how Boyce possessed something that not everyone had: a charisma and work ethic that did not go unnoticed. He gave the example of one practice when Boyce was standing on the sideline, smiling, despite it not being a “fun” practice, as Englehart put it.
Aside from his sense of humor, Englehart mentioned Boyce’s willingness to take on a challenge. The coaching staff decided they wanted to move Boyce from the running back position to the linebacker position and Boyce took on the challenge with only the question “Can I play both my sophomore year?”
JJ was a great friend to me here at Rose-Hulman. He was always there for me either for a game of foosball or a futon to sleep in. He brought the best out in many people he knew.
—Jason Haslag, freshman mechanical enginneer
Englehart said that Boyce, despite his short time at Rose-Hulman, had left a legacy. “JJ will surely be missed but his legacy will live with us forever,” he said.
When he wasn’t on the football field, he spent a large amount of time in his residence hall on Speed 1. Senior electrical engineering major and Speed 1 Resident Assistant Mark Intihar talked about how Boyce brought an energy and light-heartedness to the floor. Intihar continued to say that Boyce loved talking to people and being around others; he was a very giving and unselfish person.
Despite the short time JJ Boyce spent at Rose-Hulman, his presence will be remembered with the people that had the opportunity to get to know him.