Robert Boyle was a gifted and demanding teacher of literature and journalism at New Trier High School who had a lasting impact on generations of students over his 34 years at the North Shore school.
“He kind of encouraged people to take risks — responsible risks — and he was there to support them,” said James Marran, who taught social studies and headed the department during Boyle’s time at New Trier
Boyle, 86, died of cancer May 12 in Hartrey House, part of the Three Crowns Park retirement community in Evanston, according to his partner of 17 years, Lawrence “Mac” Detmer. He was a longtime Evanston resident.
Boyle was born in Iowa, went to high school in Michigan and went on to Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, where he received an undergraduate degree in journalism in 1953 and a master’s degree in the field in 1954. He received a doctorate from New York University in 1979.
A student teaching assignment at New Trier turned into a full-time teaching post that lasted until his retirement from the English department in 1988. Boyle taught literature, drama and journalism, directed plays and was the adviser for the student newspaper, the New Trier News.
“He taught the only journalism course at the school (then),” said former student John Freed, who went on to a long career in journalism that included stints as an editor with the International Herald Tribune and the New York Times.
“He was one of the many people who pushed me to stay with journalism and reach a professional level,” said Freed, now retired and living in Paris. “He was quite role model for me.”
Freed said many of Boyle’s lessons stayed with him, including how to put together a running story, in which developments are constantly added. Boyle had his students develop that skill by giving them bits and pieces of information over time, even holding a fake news conference. Freed said the lesson came in handy as he worked with seasoned New York Times reporters on a national election night.
“They were used to big-picture deep-dive stories,” Freed said. “I was channeling Bob Boyle. It was the echo of his teaching.”
Boyle was involved in a number of student productions of Shakespeare’s plays.
“He made kids like things they wouldn’t ordinarily think they wanted to like — Shakespeare being one,” Marran said. “And that was because of Bob — he made it real in their lives.”
In retirement, he taught student teachers at Northwestern for several years in courses that included field experience and seminars focused on practical approaches to the challenges of teaching.
Survivors also include a sister, Patricia Boyle Savage; a stepdaughter, Allison Detmer and a stepson, Stuart Detmer;
There will be a memorial service at 4 p.m. Friday in Three Crowns Park, 2323 McDaniel Ave., Evanston.
Graydon Megan is a freelance reporter.
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