Obituary: Bertrand N. Bostrom, retired professor of journalism and director of advising

Bertrand Bostrom

Bertrand N. Bostrom, retired professor of journalism and director of advising, died April 30, 2013, in Prescott Valley, Ariz. He was 80.

Dr. Bostrom was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, on November 12, 1932. He moved to Arizona as a teenager, graduated from Phoenix Union High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism, a master’s degree in English and a doctorate in education from Arizona State University.

Dr. Bostrom had a long and distinguished career as teacher, consultant and mentor. He taught English, journalism and photography at Tolleson, Phoenix Union and East High Schools from 1957-1967 and developed the annual Arizona High School Publication Workshop from 1970-1982. Dr. Bostrom joined Northern Arizona University in 1967, where he progressed from assistant professor to professor of journalism. In 1984, he became director of the University Advisement Center, a program for undecided freshmen. During his service at the university he was awarded the Distinguished Faculty Award and the President’s Award for Outstanding Service and retired from NAU in 1995.

Dr. Bostrom served as a national officer of the Society of Professional Journalists and received the Sigma Delta Chi’s highest award, the Wells Memorial Key, in 1984. He earned the Arizona Press Club’s AIPA Lifetime Achievement Award, was named Outstanding Academic Adviser by the National Academic Advisers Association, Arizona Newspaper Association’s University Journalism Teacher of the Year and the Phoenix Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Educator.

Dr. Bostrom was a charter member of Trinity Heights United Methodist Church of Flagstaff. He moved to Cottonwood in 1991, then Prescott Valley in 2002 where was active in the Prescott Valley United Methodist Church.

Dr. Bostrom was a news junkie who loved classical music, travel, baseball and gardening. He took great professional pride in the successes of his former students, and he stayed in touch with many right up until his death. Colleagues and students alike will miss his love of teaching, his generosity, his keen interest in others and his dry sense of humor.

Dr. Bostrom is survived by his wife of 17 years, Nepha; sons David (Debby) and Steven (Amy); daughter Deborah (Stan); stepdaughter Jennifer (John); stepson Chris (Jeanette); 14 grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; brother Edwin; sister Beverly; and nephews Derrick and Damon.

A memorial service will be held for Dr. Bostrom at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at Prescott Valley United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials in his honor may be sent to Prescott Valley United Methodist Church or the Good Samaritan Society Prescott Hospice. Sign the online tribute book here.