John Alexander (Jack) Boan was born in Briercrest, Saskatchewan on December 16, 1917, where he remained until high school graduation. Following World War II, when he served in the Royal Canadian Air Force, he attended the University of Saskatchewan receiving a B.A.(Hons.) in history and political economy in 1949. He was employed as an economist with the Canadian Department of Agriculture from 1949-1956, the Defense Research Board, 1956-1960, the Department of Northern Affairs and Natural Resources, 1960-1961, and as a researcher with the Royal Commission on Health Services, 1961-1963. During this period he took leaves to undertake doctoral studies in agricultural economics at Ohio State University, where he earned a Ph.D. in 1953, and to teach full-time at the University of Alberta during the 1955-56 academic year. In 1962 Dr. Boan joined the Department of Economics at the University of Saskatchewan, Regina Campus as associate professor. By 1969 he achieved the rank of full professor, and he served as Chair of the Department, 1969-1976. Dr. Boan is the author of numerous studies and articles in the areas of agricultural and health economics, and he has actively participated in many professional and community organizations such as the Community Planning Association of Canada, the Canadian Bureau for International Education, and the University of Regina Group for Refugees. Upon his retirement in 1983 Dr. Boan was awarded the title Professor Emeritus of Economics and in the spring of 1994 the University of Regina presented him with an honorary degree. Dr. Boan and his wife, Jean who have three children, reside in Regina, where he continues his active community involvement in the areas of health, aging, and international development.