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Guest speaker Frank Boas gives a commencement address to the class of 2004 during cermonies on Aug. 15, 2004. (Star-Advertiser archive)
Retired lawyer and longtime University of Hawaii supporter Frank Boas died Saturday in Honolulu, said Avi Soifer, dean of the UH William S. Richardson School of Law. He was 82,
“For the law school, it’s a tremendous loss and we’re not alone in that,” Soifer said. “He was extremely helpful and supportive across the community. The other most palpable thing about his loss is the realization we’ll never have his cheerful presence and wisdom. He could solve problems with remarkable skill and he was always looking ahead. He was a true internationalist and a model for us all.”
Born in Amsterdam, Boas moved to the United States with his family at the age of 11. After graduating from a private New Jersey high school, he attended Harvard University, where he received his bachelor’s degree and juris doctorate.
He traveled to Hawaii in the 1970s for his work with Dole Foods and retired to the islands in the late 1980s.
In the islands, he was known as a philanthropist and active member of the community. He served on several boards, including the Honolulu Museum of Arts Board of Trustees and East-West Foundation Board, championed autonomy from the government in the appointment of UH Board of Regents members, and helped create and fund several programs at the UH law school.
