Boyd Anthony Astemborski, Jr. was born December 23, 1953 in Akron, Ohio and after living a life full of adventure, hardship, accomplishment and love, he passed away quietly on March 26, 2024 in Colorado Springs, CO.

Boyd and his family left Akron in 1961 and traveled to Phoenix, AZ, where he would spend the next 10 years of his life. Even as a child, he was a highly independent individual determined to live life “his way”.  Having been blessed with an extremely high IQ, he felt he had an edge on life that others did not – therefore, when he had completed the 8th grade, he declared himself educated enough and left the world of academia. It was also at this time he managed to have himself declared a Ward of the State of Arizona. Being under the legal age of 18 he was placed at a Boys’ Ranch in Cottonwood, AZ.

It was while he was living in Cottonwood that he met an elderly gentleman who was a skilled Silversmith who recognized Boyd’s talent for the trade and taught him the art of making jewelry using silver and turquoise. This art became Boyd’s lifelong passion and occupation.

Once Boyd reached the age of 18, he became a “continental wanderer”, hitch-hiking his way throughout the United States. He eventually landed in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and knew he had finally found the place he wanted to call home. It was in Colorado Springs that he met, and married, the woman who would prove to be the true love of his life – Maxine Molner. Boyd and Maxine were married July 10, 1976. Although the marriage only lasted for 10 years, the bond between Boyd and Maxine was never broken and they remained best friends til death they did part. Together they had one child, Rachel Rae born in 1981. Even though Boyd and Rachel were not close during Rachel’s early childhood, they later connected in her teens and developed a loving relationship that lasted for the rest of his life.

During his years in Colorado, Boyd developed and enhanced his Silversmith skills and earned a reputation as one of the finest makers of Indian Jewelry in the State of Colorado. He opened a shop in Manitou Springs, “Claim Jumpers”, where he not only sold his jewelry, taught others silversmithing. He also sold a wide variety of rocks, minerals, semi-precious gems and collectibles. Boyd always had a keen interest in the mining industry. He eventually acquired some land in Fairplay, CO and tried his hand at gold mining. The gold mining experience was hard on Boyd, both physically and financially and eventually cost him his health and his fortune. He moved back to Colorado Springs where he lived out the rest of his life.

Boyd was predeceased by his biological mother, Ginger Fellar, two sets of grandparents – Frank and Kay Astemborski and LeRoy and Florence Burtz. Also predeceasing him were two uncles, two aunts and many cousins. He is survived by his parents, Boyd (Tony) and Leeann Astemborski; two sisters – Rhonda Fitz-Randolph and Julie Starke; his ex-wife, Maxine Astemborski, his daughter, Rachel Richard, Son-in-law Lance Richard, three grandchildren, Alex, Austin and Emily Richard, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Services for Boyd will be Thursday, April 4, 2024 at Alternative Cremation in Colorado Springs. A Viewing will be held at 11:00 a.m with the service starting at 12:00 p.m. and a reception following.