Burdette E. Bostwick

Burdette E. “Pete” Bostwick, Jr. passed away unexpectedly on July 13, 2020 in Corrales, NM. Pete, the son of Betty and Burdette Bostwick, was born on December 5, 1940 in Orange, NJ. He went to Dartmouth College where his studies were interrupted by enlisting in the US Army, serving in the First Airborne Cavalry Division (AIRMOBILE) in Vietnam. He graduated from the Army Intelligence School at Ft. Holabird, MD and the Defense Language Institute at Monterey, CA where he learned Korean. Pete quickly rose to rank of Captain and was Aide-de-Camp to General Richard Knowles.

After leaving the army Pete returned to Dartmouth and completed his Bachelors degree. He pursued graduate studies at the University of Hawaii and received an MA and Ph.D (abd) in Geography - Southeast Asian studies. As part of the Overseas Career Program and as an East- West Center grantee, Pete did field research for the UN Mekong Project in Laos and Thailand.During this time he became fluent in Thai.

There followed a distinguished 25-year career in Military Intelligence at Headquarters US Commander in Chief Pacific (USCINCPAC)/US Pacific Command (USPACOM), which included extended assignments in Southeast Asia. Pete was a seasoned area specialist with extensive intelligence background in Southeast Asia. He retired from Joint Intelligence Center Pacific (JICPAC) as a Sr. Intelligence Officer (SIO) in 2005.

Upon retirement Pete became a member of Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) where he served as the AFIO New Mexico Chapter President. Pete was also a member of the Ironwood Veterans group, a brotherhood of veterans from all branches of the military.

Despite a demanding career, Pete's thirst for adventure included Ski Patrol at Mauna Kea, HI and Taos Ski Valley, NM; trekking in Mt. Everest; punching cattle and horseback riding in Hawaii and New Mexico; official photographer of the annual Prince Lot Hula Festival on Oahu; an Advanced First Aid Instructor/Trainer for the Red Cross, CPR Instructor/Trainer and Affiliate Faculty for the American Heart Association; teaching first aid to villagers in Nepal; and running with "Hash House Harriers" -- an international running group.

Pete was highly regarded and respected by those who knew him, and loved by his family and friends. He will be missed. Pete is survived by his wife Marie "Pik" Ng Bostwick, sister Sherry Bostwick Bishko, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.BorthwickOahu.com for the Bostwick family.