William Stoever: A Kid from Iowa Encounters the Religions of the World

William (Bill) A. Stoever will discuss how a world view shaped by a childhood in Iowa has been expanded over the years by encounters with Islam and other religions, through his travels around the U.S., and in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

Stoever grew up in Iowa, and now lives in Maplewood. In between, he has broadened his vision by living in and visiting rural and urban sites around the world. The retired Seton Hall University business professor wrote Hitchhike the World about his travels through American, Europe, and Africa, and is now working on his second book, World Traveler, on hitchhiking through the Middle East and Asia.

“What I did would not be for everyone,” he said. “The travels were frequently uncomfortable and lonely… you have to be able to withstand the downsides.”

Stoever says writing Hitchhike the World brought him back to yesteryear. “I was a young man when I did those travels, and I find myself transported back to those years as I write,” he says. “I think I’m writing from a young man’s perspective.”

He suspects young travelers of today will find his memoir inspiring and so perhaps will the “armchair travelers” who wish they could’ve done what Stoever did.

While he admits he wouldn’t be eager to put himself through the discomforts and uncertainties of his wilder days, he reflects on them fondly. He embarked on these journeys because he wanted to and he encourages others to follow their hearts, too.

“Do what’s right for you,” he says. “I chose to go on the teaching program in Africa and to hitch around Asia even though I knew my parents wouldn’t be happy about it. Save some money. Live within your budget so you can afford to travel – if you want to.”