BORN

1959

DIED

2021

Spider Boardman Obituary

Spider Boardman
April 1959 - May 24, 2021
Spider (Raun) Boardman (62) died Monday, May 24, 2021, of heart failure and pneumonia caused by complications of Covid, in Nashua, N.H.
Born in Medford, Ore., attended Medford High, University of Oregon.
He was hired by Digital without a degree, because he fixed some bugs in their magnetic tape drivers. Spider started in their TOPS-10 group. He worked on several OS's, including UNIX and Perl. He worked on the Alpha project and with the Itanium Collaboration.
Spider got his name while rock climbing in Oregon. He loved gaming, online and tabletop. Known for his brilliant, software engineering and mathematical mind. Spider held several patents pertaining to his work in computer technology.
Preceded in death by his mother, Janice Boardman. Survived by wife of 40 years, Mollie (Andrews) Boardman; daughters, Karen (36) and Kathryn (34) Boardman; and father, L. Carter Boardman.
Services TBD.
Please sign the online guest book at www.oregonlive.com/obits

Published by The Oregonian from May 28 to May 30, 2021.
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Memories and Condolences
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At a Clay (Peter and Paul) family gathering, Spider´s name came up and Peter´s son, Stephen, got excited because he had heard stories about Spider from his dad. Peter has late-stage cancer and we wondered if we might connect in the next few months. We googled him and sadly found his obituary. Paul and his wife, Terri, knew Spider at Camp Adams as teenagers, and Spider and Paul were college roommates (and Paul was Spider´s best man). Peter and Spider climbed mountains together. We all agree that Spider was larger than life and are sorry to learn that he´s gone.
-Paul, Terri, Peter, and Stephen Clay

Terri Rauscher Clay

Friend

April 13, 2023

I knew Spider when he was a freshman at the U of Oregon; I was a grad student, and he was my dungeon master. He kept Max the bartender going long after I was around to share the fun; I imagined Max to have a long long NPC life in my absence. Spider was one of the most interesting minds I ever met.

Josh Gordon

School

April 3, 2022

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Diane and Nolan

Acquaintance

June 9, 2021

I worked with Spider in the DECsystem-10 TOPS-10 Operating System group for several years back in the 1980s, and became friends with him through that. He was always a font of wisdom, tech tidbits, and stories.

John Francini

Friend

June 7, 2021

Spider was a friend in an MMORPG and a constant star that shined brightly for all that knew them. The intelligence, wit, and compassion they brought to us every day will be missed. My heart goes out to Skippy B. and all of the family and friends who have lost an amazing loved on. I'm forever grateful for the time I spent with Spider and I'll miss out "IT talk."

J. M. Boyer

Friend

June 3, 2021

Go in grace, my friend. You'll be missed.

JoAnne

Friend

June 3, 2021

I’m so sorry for you all.

Chris callahan

Family

June 1, 2021

Mollie and girls ~ I didn't know spider personally but I remember at your Dads funeral setting at Chinese food and having a very nice conversation. Mark and I want you to know that you all are in our thoughts and prayers ❤ Love ~ Mark & Martha Scholz

Martha Scholz

Friend

June 1, 2021

Mollie & girls, so sorry to hear of Spiders passing. Way to young.
Sending our love & prayers

Gary & Bonnie Bowlsby

Family

May 31, 2021

Spider was a friend and a fellow MMO player, in the same guild in several games. Their humor and intelligence were always welcome, and I feel their loss very strongly. I'm so sorry.

Nate J Clampitt

Friend

May 31, 2021

Thanks for teaching me how to game, to drive manual, taking me to my softball games, and for liking my Star Wars tattoos.

Karen

Daughter

May 31, 2021

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

Tanya Symonds

Acquaintance

May 31, 2021

I miss you Dad, it's going to be difficult knowing I can't email or text you everyday. I'm so used to asking you ANY question and you know the answer, or how to websearch it correctly for me.
Kathryn [email protected]

kathryn

Daughter

May 30, 2021

I worked with Spider at DEC/Compaq/HP and while I was not a close friend or gaming cohort, I can saythat the impact he made on me when working and socializing was exceptional. While quiet and soft-spoken he radiated brillianceand empathyfar exceedinghis demeanor. I have missed his wisdom and spirit. The universe lost a special person. My condolencesto everyone who shares my loss.

tharple

Coworker

May 29, 2021

I worked with Spider at DEC on TOPS-10. Those were wonderful days
with many good friends and good times. I remember Spider with
great fondness, and am so sorry to hear of his passing.

An old friend,
Dave Eklund

Dave Eklund

Coworker

May 29, 2021

What an incredible loss. I was privileged enough to have worked with Spider for a few years in the Security group in Compaq and later HP/HPE. He had an absolutely brilliant mind and had such a memory, it was unbelievable. In addition to that, he was extremely affable. My fondest memories of him is when he started laughing so very heavily hardily over some craziness or another that was going on with a project.

A tremendous loss for our work community, an immeasurable loss for his family. Thoughts and prayers for Spider and all of you.

Tom Sweeney

Coworker

May 29, 2021

Mollie and girls, I am so heartbroken for all of you. Sending you many hugs and prayers.

Karol Kramer

Friend

May 28, 2021

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