In Memory of W. McNair Bostick III

The Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department of the University of Florida is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our wonderful graduate students, McNair Bostick, who passed away on August 28, 2006 as the result of a tragic accident. McNair was struck by an automobile while cycling on Williston Road in Gainesville. He would have completed his PhD degree in December of this year and was considering various options for post doc or academic/research positions in the USA and abroad. His PhD research, supported by the USAID Soil Management CRSP project, focused on analysis of soil carbon sequestration and the potential benefits to farmers and to society. He had developed new methods for integrating models and with field and remote sensing observations for estimating soil carbon changes over time in West Africa. McNair also helped with various improvements in the DSSAT software, and was co-developer of the ICASA data sharing software.

In addition to his dedication to research, McNair was very active in his community, serving as mayor of the University Village South student housing facilities. The outpouring of love and admiration for him has been very impressive, clearly indicating the quality of person he was at work, in his family life, and in his social life. His wife (Carmen) and son (Luca, 9 months old) will miss him so much, so please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. He accomplished a lot during his short life, and was truly an emerging star in the crop modeling research area.

Many people have expressed an interest in contributions. McNair’s family has decided on two different options for donations to be sent in his memory from all who wish to do so.

1. The Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, c/o The University of Florida Foundation, Inc., PO Box 14425, Gainesville, FL  32604-2425. Please mention the McNair Bostick Memorial on your checks to the ABE department/UF Foundation so that those funds can be used to commemorate McNair in some way (such as a scholarship).
2. The education fund for his son Luca at: Bank of America, Private Bank, 101 North Main Street, Greenville, SC  29601, FBO Luca Bostick-Valero Education Fund.

We will always remember McNair and hope that his life and accomplishments will serve as models for other graduate students that follow.

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