Floyd C. Bossard

The eldest of five children borne to Calvin and Amelia Bossard, Floyd made his appearance on this earth January 24, 1929. He was raised in the Goosetown neighborhood of Anaconda. After graduating from Anaconda High School, he earned a bachelors degree in Geological Engineering from the Montana School of Mines and later a masters degree in Industrial Hygiene/Environmental Sciences from the University of Cincinnati. June 1951, Floyd married the Butte girl who stole his heart, Margaret Jewel Nevin, and they raised three children: Julie (Candace Royer), Janice Elliott and Brian Bossard (Terri). Family was the center of his existence and Floyd was the proud grandfather of Jessica Diric (Andy), Jocelyn Taylor (Drew), Scott Elliott (Siobhan), Sean Elliott (Crystal) and Ryan Bossard and the cherished “Papa” to ten great grandchildren – Elena, Avery, Aubrie, Ashton, Hunter, Marisol, Mollie, Amaia, Brynn and Andrew. Floyd is also survived by his siblings Mark Bossard (Nancy), Wayne Bossard and Vera Dick (Bob); sister in law, Margaret Bossard; brother in law, Joe Nevin; and his deeply loved and very special nieces and nephews: Dona Ball, Dan Riley, David Riley and Julie Suek and numerous great nieces and nephews. His brother, Richard Bossard, passed away May 16th, just two days before Floyd. Floyd’s legacy in the mining industry began in 1948 at the Mountain Con Mine in Butte while a student. After graduation from the School of Mines, Floyd continued his employment with the Anaconda Copper Mining Company for nineteen years. Over the course of his career, he worked as a mining engineer, planning engineer, ventilation engineer, construction superintendent and as chief ventilation and industrial hygiene engineer. In 1969, Floyd became an Associate Professor at Montana Tech and, as a visionary who recognized the need to train engineers and scientists who could solve our environmental challenges and protect the well-being of employees, he led the effort to establish the first bachelor of science program in environmental engineering (1972) and, subsequently, the first bachelor of science degree program in Occupational Safety and Health (1976) in an all mineral/petroleum oriented university in the United States. While he continued to be involved in both programs, Floyd retired from teaching in 1979 and continued his work as a consultant in mine ventilation and environmental engineering for another thirty years. Recognized internationally as a leading expert on underground mine ventilation design, his work took him to such locales as Mexico, Chile, Indonesia, Northwest Territories and New Brunswick, England and Australia. Intent on sharing the knowledge and experience gained over his lifetime, Floyd co-authored “Mine Ventilation Design Practices”, a practical text for mine ventilation engineers. And, as a tribute to his love of mining and the people of Butte who sacrificed and contributed to the copper mining industry, Floyd authored “Butte: The Richest Hill on Earth”. This was the story of the history of Butte underground mining, the industrial revolution driving this country’s appetite for copper and the contributions of the various immigrant populations to the Butte mines. In addition to being acknowledged as a Distinguished Alumnus (1980), in 2015, Floyd Bossard received the Chancellor’s Medallion at the Montana Tech commencement. This award recognizes an alumnus who has excelled in both their educational and professional careers. Floyd was active in the community, lighting the Mountain Con Mine head frame; creating a memorial wall at the Mining Museum recognizing those who lost their lives in the mines; building the arch at the entrance of Montana Tech; and in the Rotary Club. Floyd was an active member of St. Ann’s parish. Always an outspoken advocate for the importance of education and in continued support of his alma mater, Montana Tech, Floyd and Margaret established the Margaret and Floyd Bossard Endowed Scholarship. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting this endowed scholarship at Montana Tech, St. Ann Church, Butte Emergency Food Bank or a charity of your choice.

Tributes

Floyd C. Bossard

January 24, 1929 - May 18, 2017