BOYD BIGELOW STOFER, age 62, of Edina, MN., died suddenly on Nov. 29 of medical complications related to a recent surgery. Survived by his wife of 38 years, Cherie; and his children, Robby (26), Katharine (24) and David (21). Words cannot express what a loving and giving husband, father and friend he was. With unwavering devotion, he was always encouraging and supportive of the people around him. He was a successful businessman and provided his family with a loving home and many travel and educational opportunities. He and his family particularly enjoyed their cabin on Whitefish Lake in Northern Minnesota where they created countless memories along with their dog, Marley. Boyd was also an avid golfer, an accomplished skier and enjoyed biking with Cherie. He was the consummate family man and a very nurturing, proud and involved father. In education and business, Boyd distinguished himself in many ways. He graduated from Cornell University with an engineering degree in 1971 and from Harvard Business School with an MBA in 1975. He chose real estate as a career and after spending two years at Gerald D. Hines Interests Houston, he moved to Minneapolis where he joined United Properties, in 1978, as a project manager. Thirty-three years later he had risen to the position of Chairman and CEO of the Marquette Real Estate Group, a holding company owned by the Pohlad family, with responsibility for four operating units and over 1,200 employees. He earned Developer of the Year honors in 2004 from the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) and participated in many local and national association activities. Boyd was also committed to making his community a better place to live. He was a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of the Twin Cities, a supporter of the Plymouth Church Neighborhood Foundation, a Trustee of the Plymouth Congregational Church and a board member of the Trust for Public Land. He will be missed by many. Boyd was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Margaret Stofer. He is also survived by sister, Judy Block (Philip D. "P.D."); and brothers, Kermit "Chip" Stofer (Lynn) and Gordon "Chub" Stofer (Debbie); and many relatives and friends. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. at Plymouth Congregational Church, 1900 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, MN 612-871-7400, www.plymouth.org. Private interment at Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Boys and Girls Club of the Twin Cities, Plymouth Church Neighborhood Foundation or the Plymouth Congregational Church. WASHBURN-McREAVY, EDINA CHAPEL 952-920-3996. Published in The Plain Dealer on Dec. 3, 2011.