Wednesday, May 21, Joshua Ewing died peacefully at home in San Francisco, California, after a ten-year battle with prostate cancer. Born June 8, 1945 to Paul and Mabel Ewing, Joshua was raised in Brea, California, and served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam. He attended Stanford University, graduating with a degree in anthropology in 1973, and went to work for the Smithsonian National Museum of American Art. In 1977, Joshua began a life-long love affair with travel that took him to 104 countries. To finance his travels, Joshua worked for brief periods in Europe.

Joshua lived economically and intentionally, choosing knowledge over possessions. Most of his itineraries took him to developing countries where he immersed himself in local history and culture. Joshua kept journals of his travels, and recorded his many experiences in detailed letters to his many friends. He was a remarkable correspondent and a keen observer of human nature.

In 1999, Joshua married the love of his life, Laura Hamilton, and the couple settled in Brooklyn. Joshua and Laura continued to travel as long as they were able, spending a year on the road in 2001. They relocated to San Francisco in 2005 to be closer to family and friends.

Joshua is survived by his wife Laura, his mother Mabel, his step-mother Di-Ann, his brothers Marty, Glenn and Bryan, and a dozen nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on June 13 at 2pm at the Headlands Institute in Marin County, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Hospice By The Bay and The Family Link in San Francisco.