William Nizinski

William Nizinski, 93, passed away Thursday, October 3, 2024 at Patriots Colony, Williamsburg. He was a resident of Brookdale Chambrel, Williamsburg. Bill was born September 29, 1931, in Rockingham, PA. He was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Anna Bendas Nizinski, and his wife of 63 years, Dolores.

He graduated with a BS degree in Education from California State Teachers College, California, PA in 1954. He received a MS degree in Geography from Penn State University in 1956. Bill applied for Navy Officers Candidate School during his second year at Penn State. After graduation from Penn State University, he was off to Newport, RI having never seen the ocean. On September 7, 1956, he was sworn into the Navy. After receiving his commission, he attended Naval Air Photo Interpretation School at Anacostia Naval Air Station, Washington, DC for six months to continue his education in geography, air photo interpretation, cartography, and remote sensing. Bill and Dolores were married in June 1957 before Bill reported to Naval Amphibious Warfare School Little Creek, VA. During his active duty service, Bill served on the staff of the Commander Amphibious Forces Atlantic as an Assistant Intel Officer – Photo Interpretation. In 1960, he was released from active duty and assigned to the Naval Reserve Surface Division 5-9 in Cumberland, MD, where he began as an Instructor/Evaluator, and later served as the Commanding Officer. After his first command, he continued to rise through the ranks and commanded three additional divisions. Bill was promoted to Captain in 1978 and retired in 1987 with 31 years of service.

In addition to his Navy career, Bill was a professor in the Geography Department at Frostburg State University, Frostburg, MD. He joined the faculty in 1960 and retired in 1994 with 34 years of service, 13 of which he served as Department Chair. During his career, he taught a variety of courses, including cartography and interpretation of aerial photos, and established a highly successful internship program. This full-time intern program led to many employment opportunities for the students involved. Additionally, Bill was instrumental in establishing the Geographic Information Systems Laboratory at Frostburg State University. Under his leadership, the number of Geography majors increased significantly from approximately 85 to 225 majors and the department gained national recognition among small colleges and universities even though not offering a graduate program in geography. After retirement from the University, Bill established the William Nizinski Equipment Endowed Fund at Frostburg State University to help support the needs of the Geography Department.

Bill and Dolores were actively involved in philanthropy. They supported numerous local and national charities and other organizations with special interest in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Bill was a member of the Masons (Mountain Lodge No. 99, Frostburg, MD), The Scottish Rite, and The American Legion. He was a member of the Frostburg United Methodist Church for 53 years before transferring membership to Williamsburg United Methodist Church in 2013. He was active in the community of residents at Brookdale Chambrel, Williamsburg.

He enjoyed cooking, golf, traveling, wine tasting, rooting for the Baltimore Orioles, reading, reciting poetry, and spending time with his family and friends.

Bill is survived by his son, David and his wife Anna; son, Eric and his wife Lucy; daughter, Martha and her husband Tom Munroe; granddaughters, Amy Nizinski Stevenson, Maya Nizinski, Nina Nizinski; great-granddaughter, Nora Stevenson; step-grandson, David Munroe and wife Morgan; and four step-great-grandsons, Titus and Maximus Ashby and Archer and Hamish Munroe.

A graveside service will be held Thanksgiving week, November 26 at 11:00 AM at Windsor Gardens Cemetery, 80 Soles Lane, Dutton, VA officiated by Associate Pastor Meghan Roth Clayton from Williamsburg United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the William Nizinski Equipment Endowed Fund at Frostburg State University, FSU Foundation, 101 Braddock Road, Frostburg, MD 21532.