1936 - 2026
Van proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Berlin Wall Crisis, stationed primarily at Fort Devens in Massachusetts. Following his military service, he devoted more than 30 years as System Arborist with National Grid, where he oversaw vegetation control management across the electrical system network. Widely regarded as an industry authority, Van was honored with the Utility Arborist Association (UAA) Lifetime Achievement Award for his innovative approach to vegetative management under high power lines, a method still in use today. He later served as president of the UAA, building what colleagues described as a legendary nationwide professional network. He was also a founding member of the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Vegetation Management Task Force. Even after retirement, Van continued to contribute his expertise, consulting and frequently testifying as an expert witness in cases involving trees and power lines.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Van was deeply committed to public service. He served the Town of Upton as Selectman, Town Moderator, and as a member of many town boards. In collaboration with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, he played a meaningful role in the successful reintroduction of ospreys and bald eagles to the woods and waters of Massachusetts.
Van’s lifelong passion for forestry began early. His interest in the decline of the American chestnut tree and the effort to restore this iconic species captured his attention in the eighth grade and never left him. He dedicated decades to the mission of returning chestnuts to the Appalachian range from Georgia to Maine. Van served for many years on the national board of The American Chestnut Foundation and was a founding member of the Massachusetts/Rhode Island chapter.
After retirement, Van helped establish a seed orchard of American chestnut trees on the campus of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Headquarters in Westborough. In 2022, he was honored when the orchard was named for him, recognizing his tireless volunteerism and generous support.
Van graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Forestry and remained deeply grateful for the financial assistance that made his education possible. In return, he supported others by contributing regularly to the scholarship program of the Rutgers School of Bioscience. He was happiest in the woods of the Upton State Forest or leading walking tours on conservation land in Harwich on Cape Cod. As one admirer remarked, walking in the woods with Van was like taking a course in dendrology.
Born May 13, 1936, in Morristown, New Jersey, Van was the son of Rufin Van Bossuyt and Elizabeth (Hark) Van Bossuyt. One of six children, he is survived by Victoria Johnson of Florida, David Van Bossuyt and his wife Melinda of California, and Joyce Owens of Colorado, along with nieces, nephews, and step-nieces and step-nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters Elizabeth Ingram of Texas and Ruth Olsyn of Pennsylvania.
Van is also survived by his beloved wife of 39 years, Rena M. Richard, with whom he joyfully explored the world, touching every continent except Antarctica.
Summers were especially treasured, spent vacationing on Cape Cod and enjoying time on the water aboard his Grady White boat. Yet the Westborough chestnut orchard was never far from his mind, and he devoted countless hours to planting, pollinating, weeding, and harvesting chestnut burs whenever he returned to Upton.
Those who knew Van often described him with words such as kind, sweet, generous, gentle, and quiet. At the same time, they admired his leadership—principled, professional, resourceful, tenacious, and a role model who led by example and earned universal respect.
It is a fitting tribute to a good man who made a positive impact on his world and left it a better place for his having been in it. He walked along this path called life and left behind a trail of beautiful memories.
Family and friends are invited to attend visiting hours from 9:30 to 11:00 A.M. on Friday, April 17, at the Pickering & Son Upton Funeral Home, 45 Main Street, Upton. A Celebration of Life Remembrance will begin at 11:00 A.M., followed by burial with military honors at Lakeview Cemetery in Upton.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
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The American Chestnut Foundation, 50 N. Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC 28804
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New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, 11 French Drive, P.O. Box 598, Boylston, MA 01505-0598
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The Samuel Huntington Fund, Inc., c/o Amy Stacy, 170 Data Drive, Waltham, MA 02451-2222
