William J. Bostian ’71

Bill died Nov. 6, 2023, in Portland, Ore.

He came to Princeton, like his father, Loagan ’44 *49, from Andover. He was a varsity swimmer for three years, majored in biology, and lived with Pardew, D. Garretson ’72, Ewing ’72, and Fledderjohn ’72 in Walker senior year. Teammates and roommates remember him for solid friendship and respectfulness. He earned a law degree from the University of Maryland and married fellow law alumna Sally Denison Adkins (later an appeals court judge) in 1977.

Bill was last employed at The Nature Conservancy of MD/DC as Nassawango project manager from 1993 to 2003 after previous positions with Environmental Concern, E.S. Adkins, and Hubert Wright law offices.

A lifelong environmentalist, Bill served on the Maryland Critical Area Commission to protect the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Other community activities included: Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission, Lower Shore Land Trust, Lower Shore Tributary Team, Transfer Development Rights Implementation Committee, Leadership Maryland, Greater Salisbury Committee, and Eastern Shore Symphony Society. He served Princeton as an Alumni Schools Committee interviewer.

Bill was an avid hiker, swimmer, tennis player, sports fan, fisherman, reader, traveler, art and map connoisseur, and dog lover. He was a chef-level cook, connoisseur of fine foods, and a dedicated gardener. Most importantly, he enthusiastically supported his wife and children in all ways possible.

To his wife, Sally; children Emily and Patrick; and granddaughter Sarah; the class extends its sincere condolences.