William BOSWELL Obituary

Bert Boswell, teacher and guide, enriched the lives of many people, so it is an honour to contribute to a celebration of his life, just as it was an honour to have attended both of his weddings in person. I cannot be with you today in person because of the pandemic.
In 1949, Uncle Bert took the first colour photograph of me: in my mother´s arms on the side of the volcano - Taranaki - on which I was born. My mother was Helen Boswell´s sister, and our families would spend holidays together, usually in tents: in the back yard of Tom Wood´s bach at Oakura, where Uncle Bert caught and smoked schnapper; in a motor camp near Rotorua, where we enjoyed the morning chorus of the korimako, and could swim in volcanically-heated water; and in our own back yard in Heretaunga, where, during the 1961 census, Uncle Bert answered the question about "Building materials used in the construction of your current dwelling place" with one word: "canvas".
Uncle Bert was a correspondent of The Northern Advocate. Whenever a storm hit Northland, the Advocate would report that "Mr. W. H. Boswell recorded that over an inch of rain fell in Parua Bay". And when Kilauea volcano spewed pahoehoe, fearless journalist Boswell was there to describe the eruption. And he noted that, in Hawaiian, the name of the street where he lived in Whangarei is a very rude word.
In 1957, my parents promised me, as a Christmas present, a big book on the Arizona desert. But first, I had to learn to swim! Uncle Bert was my motivator: he was down at the Blue Baths in Rotorua every day to encourage me until I qualified for my gift.
That big book inspired me to get to know Arizona first hand. Later, I was able to show Arizona to Betty, Bert and my mother-in-law. One highlight was when Uncle Bert perched on his shooting stick to watch 100,000 tonnes of ore blasted into smithereens at the Morenci copper mine; another was when journalist Boswell recorded notable epitaphs at the Boot Hill cemetery in Tombstone; a third was when he and Betty flew over Grand Canyon and the volcanic scoria cones to the south.
Uncle Bert´s greatest inspiration to me was to give me confidence in my academic abilities. Without that support, I may never have attended University. And I may not have written my thesis on a volcano.

Thanks for being a great Principal at Raumanga Intermediate 1974-1975 to me and a fine example Sir. God Bless and rest well!

My sincere condolences to Robyn, Dave and Robyn and Debbie and Noel. First knew Bert in 1963 when he had a beehive in the window of his classroon at Whangarei Intermediate.

I was so sorry to learn of Bert's passing. I will always remember him for his hospitality and his generous nature. He was truly inspirational and a great role model. His whanau will be truly blessed by all the wonderful memories he leaves them with.

Sorry for the loss of your father. You have lots of wonderful memories of him to look back on. x

Condolences from all the Todd families. Regards from Rex, Maurice and Diane the cousins.