William R. “”Bill”” Joslin, 69, of Campton, NH, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014, at his home after a courageous and lengthy battle with cancer.
Born in Keene on July 9, 1945, Bill was the son of George E. and Marie (Elder) Joslin. Bill grew up in Spofford and graduated from Keene High School.
Following his graduation from Clark University in 1967, he and the love of his life, Karen (Seaver), married and served in the Peace Corps for two years in Bihar, India.
After returning to the U.S., Bill began studies at Georgetown Law School while working part time as Legislative Assistant to U.S. Rep. James C. Cleveland, who represented the New Hampshire Second Congressional District. A year later, he became Congressman Cleveland’s chief of staff while continuing to work his way through law school. During that time, Bill played an essential role as an architect of the compromise that allowed construction of the Franconia Notch Parkway. The agreement ended a 10-year standoff between the state and environmental groups.
In 1981, the Joslin family packed their bags and headed to Bangladesh for four years when Bill became the country deputy director of the USAID programs there. His next assignment as a Foreign Service Officer was to Jamaica for five years as the USAID country director. While there, Jamaica was hit by a devastating hurricane, Gilbert, and USAID was fully engaged in recovery and reconstruction efforts. Bill was awarded a Superior Unit Citation and the Presidential Meritorious Service Award for his dedicated and outstanding service.
Bill continued in his work as the mission director of USAID in Poland in 1990. He then served as senior adviser to the coordinator of assistance to the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union.
The next family move was back to New Hampshire where Bill initiated a totally new project helping to develop science and technology programs suitable for funding initiatives at the University of New Hampshire. Over a 10-year span, these projects brought in $400 million in funding for the university. He was very proud of his work during this part of his professional life and of these projects, several of which have earned national recognition for their excellence and continue to thrive and make a difference. He was especially proud of the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping and the Crimes Against Children Research Center, both of which have earned national recognition for their excellence.
Bill’s life was dedicated to the service of others and to many causes.
When prostate cancer appeared, Bill finally decided to retire. His renewed focus became family and finally a time for some hobbies. Wine touring, sailing, fly fishing, Nordic skiing, snow shoeing, wood working, and Marklin model trains were among the projects he enjoyed and shared with family and friends. His John Deere tractor helped to create a superb two mile trail in his woods, along with soil preparation for Karen’s many gardens.
Memories of some great fly fishing trips with friends, family hiking vacations in mountains near and far, and many travels filled Bill’s last days. He knew he was blessed with a good life, and with the love of his family and his friends.
Bill is predeceased by his parents and brother, Charles Joslin.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Karen (Seaver) Joslin, of Campton; three daughters, Sarah Pita and husband Mark, of Estes Park, Colo., Rebecca Hodge and husband David, of Colebrook,and Abigail Joslin, of Clarkston, Ga.; three grandchildren, Lydia and Zach Pita, and Garrett Hodge; he is also survived by two older brothers, John Joslin and George Joslin, both of Keene.
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