Forrester Bushnell “Bo” Darling was born Juneteenth, 1939 in Houston, TX, to Emeretta (Farr) and Sturgis Williams Darling. At age 2, Texaco moved them to New York City (Staten Island, then Westchester). This precocious child began playing spoons on his high chair at 2, learned drums as a 12-year-old freshman at Hastings on Hudson HS and became a professional musician that same year. Off to Yale at 15, for Industrial Administration, and linebacker on the football team. Next was Oklahoma State for his Mechanical Engineering degree. A 37-year career with Union Carbide/Linde/Praxair took him to California, New York, Connecticut, Ohio and Michigan. Besides being a drummer throughout his life, he also sailed competitively for 17 years, enjoyed many years of recreational skiing, caught baseball on local teams, ran marathons, and was a serious cyclist (Seattle to Portland in one day). As a Referee and COO of Unlimited Hydroplanes, he and Patti traveled to many race sites in the US and Canada. They also loved other trips to Europe, Asia and across this Country. Oh, and we mustn’t forget the Bluegrass Festivals! He was a dedicated Rotary member: Mercer Island, WA Club President, Seattle District Governor, and an Honorary Member (along with Sandra Day O’Connor) of the Phoenix 100 Rotary Club. He was a solid, and delightful, member of the Mirabella Residents Council. The Darlings served faithfully at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Paradise Valley.
Bo was kind, and welcoming; a gentle man, though his angelic smile could change if a car came too close to the Tullys’ cycling group. He was full of mirth and always had a comment — albeit occasionally off-center. He was a Renaissance man, he was an every person’s man and comfortable in any setting. He was an amazing and wonderful husband to Patricia for almost 38 years. He leaves behind his devoted and loving wife, sons Jeffrey (Wendy) Darling, Marc (Di) Krein, grandchildren Keliah (Daniel) Davidson, Philip (Lena) Krein, Zachary (Andrea) Krein, Walker (Kataya) Krein, Sean Forester Darling, Doane Edward Darling, and great-grandchildren Anara and Nolan Davidson. His last earthly breath came January 20, 2024 as he lost the battle with pancreatic cancer.