Lowell Boldt

Lowell Wallace Boldt was born on August 25, 1951, at Reedley Hospital to Jacob “Jack” and Viola Boldt. From the very beginning, his life was marked by stories that made people smile. Before he was even brought home to meet his older sister, Lynn, Lowell was accidentally sent home with the wrong family. His mother, Vi, was ready to take her baby home when the hospital realized the mistake and had to go retrieve him. It was an early reminder that Lowell already had a way of making an impression—wherever he went, people wanted to keep him. As the years went on, the Boldt family grew with the addition of younger sister Mary and younger brother Jeff. Lowell’s childhood was rich with the love of a large, multigenerational family. Raised on a small family farm, he learned the value of hard work, responsibility, and connection—lessons that stayed with him for the rest of his life. He worked closely alongside his father and developed a strong work ethic, a quick sense of humor, and a love for life that never left him. Lowell attended Washington Elementary, General Grant Middle School, and graduated from Emmanuel High School. During those years, he worked summers picking peaches and digging trenches to earn his tuition—never afraid of hard work and always determined to move forward. After high school, he attended Fresno Pacific College with a close-knit group of friends and earned his bachelor’s degree in the early 1970s. He went on to receive his first master’s degree from Fresno State in 1976. In his late twenties, Lowell secured a position with Dinuba Unified School District as Director of School Psychology, and just a few years later he returned to his roots at Kings Canyon Unified as a school psychologist. It was work he was deeply called to—supporting students, families, and educators with wisdom, compassion, and steady presence.   In his early thirties, Lowell married Jonie Van Deilen. During this time, Emily and Chris were born, and Lowell embraced fatherhood with joy and devotion. He was an involved, loving dad—coaching soccer, basketball, and softball, serving on the Reedley Youth Soccer Board, and always showing up. Even while raising a family, working full-time as a school psychologist, and teaching university classes at night, Lowell set his sights on another goal. He pursued a doctorate in psychology from the University of Southern California. Each Thursday, he would finish work at 3:30, climb onto his father’s motorcycle, ride to USC for a three-hour class, and then ride all the way back to Reedley that same night. In 1987, he earned his PhD—one of the proudest accomplishments of his life and a testament to his perseverance and determination. In the years that followed, Lowell devoted himself to his career, his children, and the broader community. He loved teaching and continued to teach night classes for Fresno State, eventually finding a long-term home at Pacific University, where he spent the last 25 years of his professional life. He especially loved teaching courses like Emotional Intelligence and The Power of Optimism, and mentoring school psychology interns. He didn’t just teach theory—he modeled empathy, hope, and genuine care for others. Lowell also had a creative side and loved performing in the theater. He frequently appeared in productions with the Reedley High School Drama Department and the Reedley Community Theatre. One of his favorite roles was playing one of the Papas in Fiddler on the Roof—a role that suited him well, full of heart, humor, and humanity. Several years ago, Lowell became involved with Bill Glass Prison Ministries. He traveled to maximum-security prisons throughout California, sharing the love of Jesus and what he called “divine appointments.” Through this work, he brought hope and encouragement to hundreds of young men—meeting them where they were, seeing their worth, and believing in their capacity for change. Lowell retired from Kings Canyon Unified in 2014. Retirement didn’t slow him down—it simply gave him more time for what he loved. He enjoyed riding his Harley, spending time with his children, and doting on his dog, Luke. He took a solo cruise to Hawaii and rented a Harley in Florida, spending days riding through the Keys—free, reflective, and fully alive.   In 2018, Lowell reconnected with Gwenn, a fellow educator he knew from his time at KCUSD, after running into each other in a CVS parking lot in Reedley. From that moment on, their lives became intertwined. They fell deeply in love and became true partners in life. Wanting to spend every moment together, they married two days after Christmas last year. Lowell’s faith was the steady foundation of his life. Raised in the church, Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church was always his home. RMBC shaped his values, grounded his sense of purpose, and remained a place of belonging throughout his life. He was deeply committed to his Sunday school class, cherishing the fellowship, thoughtful discussion, and friendships formed there. Lowell also expressed his faith through music, faithfully singing in the home church choir, the Christmas choir, and with the Mennonite Men’s Choir, which meets and performs annually. Worship, fellowship, and service were not separate parts of his life—they were woven into who he was. His love for the Lord was sincere, humble, and lived out daily through compassion, service, and a genuine care for others. Lowell is survived by his beloved wife, Gwenn; his children, Emily and Chris; their spouses, Brandon and Elisa; and his precious grandchildren, Claire, June Huebert, Kellen, and Addison Boldt as well as his sisters Marybeth Weins ,  Lynn Anderson and Jeff Boldt   Above all else, Lowell loved people. He genuinely wanted to know them. He made it his purpose to look for the good in others—to find multiple qualities he could admire and connect with. People left conversations with Lowell feeling seen, valued, and uplifted. He was a pillar in this community, not because he sought recognition, but because he consistently showed up with kindness, curiosity, faith, and love. Lowell Wallace Boldt leaves behind a legacy of service, compassion, and connection—a life well lived, and a presence that will be deeply missed.