Scarborough, Maine - William Scott Anchors, 76, of Scarborough, Maine, passed away on July 23, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born in Jacksonville, Florida, to Jack and Mattie Grace (Holcomb) Anchors.

Scott spent his teen years living the life of the quintessential beach boy and developing his lifelong passion for all things water. On the days he wasn't working as a lifeguard, he was out catching waves with his surfer buddies.

After graduating from college and earning his master's degree, Scott and then wife, Nancy, moved to Maine, where they and like-minded friends became part of the back-to-the-land movement. They settled in Vienna, Maine, where they built their own log cabin in the woods and lived off-grid for a number of years — a chapter that shaped his self-reliance and love of the natural world he carried for the rest of his life.

Scott spent most of his career at the University of Maine and held deep affection for his colleagues, students and the community he built throughout the years. He served in several roles, including the director of Residential Life, executive assistant to the president, and Lecturer in the Business School of Management and Organizational Leadership. During his time at UMaine, Scott took a sabbatical year to complete his Ph.D. in psychology from Iowa State University.

Scott leaves a profound legacy in higher education, where he mentored hundreds of students and young professionals. He was recognized for his research and writing in the field of student development, having presented papers at more than 75 conferences around the world and serving as the keynote speaker for several of them. Scott had a deep appreciation for what he referred to as the "differing gifts" of humankind, which influenced his work with The Association of Psychological Type International. In 2009 he was awarded the prestigious Gordon Lawrence Award for his contributions to the literature on Myers-Briggs Typology. In 2010 Scott was honored to receive the university's Excellence in Teaching Award.

As comfortable as he was in the classroom, Scott believed in the education of the whole person, one that extends well beyond traditional classroom learning. As a Master Maine Guide his great joy came from leading student groups on kayaking adventures up and down the East Coast, where they sharpened their leadership skills and perhaps completed their first kayak roll. After retirement he spent many hours on the water with his equally adventurous wife, Kelly. They both enjoyed leading trips and teaching Stand Up Paddling and kayaking through the L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery Program. Scott's last foray in the working world was one he especially enjoyed, teaching and guiding for his son Zack's business, Portland Paddle. True to his Floridian roots, he was surfing well into his 70s, achieving a personal goal of surfing at least once a month for 15 consecutive months in the chilly waters of Maine.

Above all, Scott was a man who valued relationships. He was a fiercely loyal friend, a beloved colleague, and loved his family above all else. Scott is survived by his wife, Kelly Anchors; his sons, Josh Anchors (Thuy) and Zack Anchors (Ayana); and siblings, Michael (Brenda) Anchors, Patricia Skoog, and Suzanne Belflower (Buddy).

Gifts in memory of Scott for the Scott Anchors Scholarship for Student Development in Higher Education may be made payable to the University of Maine Foundation, Two Alumni Place, Orono, ME 04469-5792 or online at: engage.umaine.edu/campaigns/83556/donations/new.