Longtime St. Paul columnist dies

Boxmeyer wrote for the St. Paul Pioneer Press and Dispatch for more than 35 years and continued writing after his retirement in 2002.

He was a native of St. Paul. He graduated from Monroe High School and the University of Minnesota. Boxmeyer also served in the U.S. Navy.

As a reporter, he covered City Hall, the legislature, science and the environment. He was an editor and longtime columnist. A book of his columns, "A Knack for Knowing Things," was recently published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press.

Retired University of Minnesota History professor Hy Berman says Boxmeyer's work achieved greatness.

"To open up to the reading public the essence of what the Twin Cities was all about, what Minneapolis and St. Paul are all about, mainly St. Paul, through focusing on the lives of ordinary people that had extraordinary lives. He was a remarkable essayist who was able to put things together beautifully," Berman said of Boxmeyer.

The two men ate lunch together every week for years as part of a group of other legendary figures in the world of Minnesota politics and journalism. Berman says Boxmeyer continued to come to lunch as much as he could, despite his illness.

Boxmeyer is survived by his wife, Kathy, daughter Diana Berg and sons Chris and Erik.

Funeral Arrangements are pending.