Bertrand N Bostrom

November 12, 1932 - April 30, 2013

Bert N. Bostrom, age 80, died on April 30, 2013 in Prescott Valley, Arizona. He was born in Marshalltown, Iowa on November 12, 1932. He moved to Arizona as a teenager, graduating from Phoenix Union High School and earning degrees from Arizona State University – including BA in Journalism, a MA in English, and a Doctorate in Education in Curriculum and Instruction. Bert had a long and distinguished career as teacher, consultant and mentor. Bert taught English, Journalism, and Photography at Tolleson, Phoenix Union and East High Schools from 1957-1967. He developed the annual AZ High School Publication Workshop from 1970-1982. He 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, an advising program for undecided freshmen students. Bert served as a national officer of the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi, and received its highest award, the Wells Memorial Key, in 1984. He wrote a history of the Society, titled “Talent, Truth and Energy: 75 years of Service to Journalism.” Other awards included NAU’s Distinguished Faculty Award and President’s Award for Outstanding Service, as well as the Arizona Press Club’s AIPA Lifetime Achievement Award. He 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. Bert was a charter member of Trinity Heights United Methodist Church of Flagstaff. He unselfishly gave of his time to serve on many committees and was Lay Leader for many years. He moved to Cottonwood in 1991. Nepha and Bert were very active in the Prescott Valley United Methodist Church after they moved to the area in 2002. Bert was a “news junkie” who loved classical music, travel, baseball and gardening. He took great professional pride in the successes of his former students; many of whom stayed in touch 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. Bert is survived by his wife, Nepha, whom he married in 1996; his three children from his first marriage: David (Debby), Steven (Amy) and Deborah (Stan); two from Nepha’s previous marriage: Jennifer (John) and Chris (Jeanette); 14 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; his brother, Edwin, and sister, Beverly; and two nephews, Derrick and Damon. A Memorial Service for Bert will be at 1pm on Saturday, June 8, 2013 at Prescott Valley United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bert’s honor may be sent to Prescott Valley United Methodist Church or the Good Samaritan Society Prescott Hospice. Hampton Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements