Many years ago there was a couple living in Minneapolis who did much to not only improve the health of the area, but to also contribute to the education of many people. The husband's name was Harold Samuel Boquist, and he was a doctor. He was born in Red Wing, Minnesota on October 21, 1888 and attended school in several places in Minnesota where his father was a minister. He graduated from Wheaton High School in 1907. Later, he entered the University of Minnesota and graduated from the School of Education in 1914. Being well trained to teach, he became the Principal of Dover High School, where he made an excellent record during the next two years.
But that was not enough. Partially because of a physical handicap with one of his feet, he desired to become a physician. So, he returned to the U of M Medical School and graduated with the class of 1921. Also, since early childhood, Dr. Boquist had suffered from severe attacks of bronchial asthma. It was this, together with the existence of tuberculosis among several of his relatives, which gave him the desire to become expert in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of chest diseases.
Back in those days tuberculosis was running rampant, so immediately after graduation in medicine, Boquist spent six months as resident physician at Glen Lake Sanatorium, after which he took an internship at Minneapolis General Hospital. In 1922 he became a member of the Glen Lake Sanatorium staff and that same year was married to Marian Scovell of Minneapolis. He spent from July 17, 1922 to September 1, 1925 as a Senior Resident at the sanatorium. During that time he gave his patients excellent care and was well loved by them and his fellow physicians. From that time on, he held many positions. He was a member of the staff of U of M Chest Clinic, was elected to membership on the medical staff of the Lymanhurst School for Tuberculosis Children and a member of the Out-Patient Chest Clinic of General Hospital. He also had a private practice which took him to most of the private hospitals in Minneapolis, aside from being on the medical staff of St. Andrews, Swedish, Asbury and Fairview hospitals.
Dr. Boquist's training in the School of Education, plus his teaching experience in public schools qualified him to teach in the School of Medicine. It was no surprise to those who had known him as a student to see him do so well in clinical practice, teaching and research. His own physical handicaps made him more sympathetic to his patients and students.
The story of Dr. Boquist's life does not have a happy ending. On Easter, 1934, he developed a sore throat. Even though uncomfortable, he took his wife and four children, Howard (11 years), Harry (9 years), Alice (7 years) and Lowell (2 years) to church, which was his custom. The following days he lost his sense of well-being and in June was found to have a blood stream strep infection. He died June 12, 1934.
It was time now for the other half of this couple to take over. The doctor's wife, Marian Scovell Boquist, born in 1891, was left a widow at age 44 with four young children. They had been living in Northeast Minneapolis at the time of her husband's death. It was now a necessity for her to be the breadwinner.
Marian had her teaching credentials, as she had been educated at the U of M. She moved her family to North Minneapolis, at 2127 44th Ave. N., to be near a school that had just become a Jr./Sr. high school in 1937, Patrick Henry High School. This is where she had been accepted as a teacher for both Latin and English. She was beloved by students and staff alike, and taught until 1968 - with two of her children, Alice and Harry, sometimes being her pupils. She raised her children, along with having a very successful teaching career. She passed away in 1968.
This special couple who contributed so much for the good of all, giving their time and service to the community, was definitely a "peach of a pair."