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JON WESTLING Obituary
Friends and colleagues remember him as a man of deep learning, humor and generosity. In his nearly 50 years at BU, Jon recruited Nobel Prize recipients to the faculty, taught medieval history to generations of students, and even got B.B. King and Bob Dylan to perform on campus. Among his many interests, Jon loved riding motorcycles and listening to the blues; he also had an abiding love of good food, company and conversation. Born in Yakima, WA to Jean and Norman Westling, Jon is survived by his children, Emma Westling of Stoneham, MA, Matthew Westling of Boston, MA, Andrew Westling and his wife Nicole of El Segundo, CA, and his former wife, Elizabeth Westling of Brookline, MA.
The family hopes to host a Memorial at Marsh Chapel, Boston University later in 2021 when, hopefully, friends can gather in person. A fuller account of his life can be found at the BU Today website: www.bu.edu/articles/2021/remembering-former-bu-president-jon-westling
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for JON WESTLING
5 Entries
Bob Mahoney
February 3, 2024
Such a wonderful leader. Jon advanced BU to world class status.
Bob Mahoney
February 3, 2022
John was an extraordinary academic and civic leader. So proud to have worked with him.
Lenore Wadman
March 1, 2021
For several years I spent many hours at our local park speaking with Jon while our dogs played. Through these informal chats, Jon often entertained me by recounting his latest motorcycle ride, his adventures teaching history at BU, and offering me life lessons on raising children. He gave me plenty of witty one liners that I've adopted and continue to use to make other people laugh. He was a man with a big heart, a razor shart intellect and a wicked sense if humor. A gift to the world.
Robert Mahoney
February 27, 2021
Jon was a terrific leader and drove BU to great heights.
Geoffrey Bernstein
February 26, 2021
Jon was an incredible man. Beyond brilliant and one of the nicest guys around. I have such nice memories of being at the Westling house growing up, Jon always with a book in hand and teaching me something new every time. Sending so much love to the whole family, may his memory be a blessing
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