About the authors
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Lee Boyland
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New York Military Academy
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North Carolina State University, BS Nuclear Engineering
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U.S. Naval School, Explosive Ordnance Disposal
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U.S. Naval School, Nuclear Weapons Disposal
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Defense Atomic Support Agency, tri-service Nuclear Emergency Management (instructor and member of DASA Nuclear Emergency Team)
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U.S. Army Ammunition and Explosive Safety Courses
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U.S Army Dugway Proving Grounds, handling and effects of chemical weapons
Lee Boyland graduated from North Carolina State University with an undergraduate degree in nuclear engineering and a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He chose the Army Ordnance Corps, volunteered for explosive ordnance disposal, and graduated from the U.S. Navy’s Explosive and Nuclear Weapons Ordnance Disposal Schools. He, accompanied by his wife, Vista, reported for duty at the Defense Atomic Support Agency (DASA) Field Command on Sandia Base (now part of Kirkland AFB), Albuquerque, New Mexico. DASA controlled the development and stockpiling of all nuclear and thermonuclear weapons. Lieutenant Boyland was assigned to the DASA Nuclear Emergency Team with secondary duties as an instructor in DASA’s tri-service Nuclear Emergency Team and Weapons Orientation Advanced courses. His duties provided Lieutenant Boyland access to design information on all nuclear and thermonuclear warheads developed by the United States through the Mark 63 warhead. Additional duties included providing bomb disposal support to the local law enforcement authorities and participating in tests at the Nevada Test Site.
After completing three years of active duty, Lee spent the next thirteen years in the defense industry, designing conventional and special ordnance. He applied aerospace combustion technology to the incineration of Agent Orange for the U.S. Air Force and demilitarized chemical weapons at Rocky Mountain Arsenal and Tooele Army Depot for the Army. He transitioned into the hazardous waste industry and then Lee and Vista started the first full-service medical waste management company in the Midwest. He was appointed by the Missouri governor to committees that drafted the state’s hazardous and medical waste regulations.
Vista Boyland
Vista Boyland, a North Carolina native, met and married Lee in Raleigh, NC, while both were attending college. She majored in classical vocal music performance, and performed with the Bel Canto Singers in Albuquerque. Their daughter, Karen, was born in the Sandia Base Hospital. When
Lee’s career took them to the Washington, DC area. Vista continued her interest in solo performing: singing in recitals, chorales, and opera ensembles at prestigious venues such as Washington, DC’s Constitution Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the National Cathedral; and acting in a variety of theatrical productions. While living in the DC area, she returned to college to pursue a degree in applied fine arts. and Graduating Suma Cum Laude, she elected to Who’s Who Among Students in American Jr. Colleges.
When Lee’s career took them to Washington, DC, Vista continued her interest in solo performing: singing in recitals, chorales, and opera ensembles at prestigious venues such as Washington, DC’s Constitution Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the National Cathedral; and acting in a variety of theatrical productions. While living in the DC area, she returned to college to pursue a degree in applied fine arts at Northern Virginia Community College. Elected to Who’s Who Among Students in American, she graduated Suma Cum Laude with an AA in Applied Fine Arts.
Lee’s career took them to St. Louis, MO, where Vista continued her interest in theater by founding Theater West, a drama school and community theater. She also developed clientele as a freelance fine artist and author, rendering illustrations for the Missouri Conservation Commission, Washington University’s Tyson Research Center, and St. Louis’ Westport Playhouse and writing feature articles for Missouri Life Magazine and Liguorian Press.
Lee and his wife and co-author live in Florida, where he consults in waste management and writes. In 2003, he traveled to Shanghai, Beijing, and Tianjin, China as a member of a U.S. technology exchange team. His nonfiction published works include technical articles, a chapter in the Biohazards Management Handbook, and the Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens Training Series, published by Fisher Scientific.