Win Ostanik Obituary of Fairbanks, Alaska, Son of Coach Frank Ostanik is Dead
Win Ostanik, a lifelong Fairbanks, Alaska resident and son of University of Alaska Fairbanks men’s basketball coach Frank Ostanik, has died, community and family sources confirmed. His passing has deeply affected family, friends, classmates and the wider Alaska community who knew him for his quiet determination, love of the outdoors and commitment to learning.
Ostanik was raised in Fairbanks, where he developed a profound appreciation for Alaska’s natural environment and wildlife from an early age. After completing his studies within the Fairbanks Catholic school system, he pursued higher education with a focus on conservation and environmental stewardship. Friends and family said his passion for the natural world was evident in his academic choices and daily life.
He continued his academic journey at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where he deepened his engagement with the sciences that defined his interests and future aspirations. Ostanik later sought specialized training in wildlife management at Dakota College at Bottineau, where he combined his love for nature with rigorous scientific study. His work in wildlife conservation was described by those who knew him as thoughtful, driven and imbued with a genuine concern for the ecosystems he hoped to protect.
Throughout his life, Ostanik was remembered as a thoughtful and determined individual whose quiet strength and curiosity endeared him to classmates, mentors and community members alike. He was deeply connected to the Arctic landscapes that shaped his upbringing, and his love for Alaska’s wildlife and wilderness inspired many conversations about conservation and sustainable stewardship.
Details surrounding Ostanik’s death have not been publicly released. His family has asked for privacy as they come together in mourning and remembrance. Funeral arrangements and memorial service information will be shared by the family when available.
Ostanik is survived by his parents, friends, extended family and many peers who admired his dedication, integrity and steady commitment to his goals. In tributes shared by those who knew him, he was described as someone who found his greatest joy in the study of the natural world and the quiet moments of reflection that defined his connection to Alaska’s vast landscapes.
As his community grieves, many recall Ostanik’s genuine respect for nature, his thoughtful approach to life and his intention to make a meaningful contribution to conservation efforts. His legacy will endure in the memories of those who shared in his journey and in the ongoing work of protecting the wilderness he loved.