Joseph William Bastien

Joseph William Bastien, 90, passed away peacefully July 19, 2025, after a lengthy illness. Born in St. Cloud, MN on February 8, 1935, to William and Magdalena (Arendt) Bastien. Joseph was preceded in death by sisters Florence Woods (Al), Marjorie Welp (Art), Rosebud Schwankl (Joe), Sister JoAnne Bastien, MM, and son, Brian Bastien. Joseph is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Judy (Wagner) Bastien; daughters, Suzanne Bastien (David Smith) and Kristin Bastien Love (Allen); 10 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren.

From 1963 to 1969, Joseph worked as a Maryknoll missionary priest serving Quechua and Aymara Indians in the Andes Mountains of Bolivia. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Cornell University in 1973. As Professor of Anthropology, he taught at UT Arlington for 35 years, during the summers of which he returned to Bolivia to continue his research. He received the Outstanding Research Award from UTA in 1980 and a recognition plaque from community health workers in Bolivia in 1984. In 2002, Joseph was awarded LaCruz Andina de Oro from the Bolivian government for his contribution towards the health and welfare of the Bolivian people. In 2017, Joseph was named Professor Emeritus by his colleagues at UTA for “his distinguished teaching, research, and service to his students.”

Visitation will be held at Moore Memorial Gardens, located at 1219 N. Davis Dr., Arlington, TX 76012, on Sunday, July 27, from 2-4 p.m. On Monday, July 28, at noon, there will be a Mass of Christian burial at St. Maria Goretti Church, 1200 South Davis Drive, Arlington, TX 76013.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals on Wheels of Tarrant County or a charity of your choice.