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Richard James ‘Oz’ Osborn

| April 19, 2020 1:00 AM

Born in 1928, Richard James “OZ” Osborn of Sandpoint, Idaho, passed on April 10, 2020.

He is survived by his wife, “Sally” Osborn; sons, Scott Osborn, Mike Osborn, Andy Freeman, and Dean Freeman; as well as seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Oz was the youngest of four brothers growing up in the Great Depression era, worked summers in the family hardwood flooring business while attending college at San Jose State in California, later earning his master’s degree in education. OZ was a talented and engaged “educator” … high school wood shop, industrial arts consultant, industrial plastics instructor, and hunter education. He loved teaching young people and furthering their success in life.

OZ’s life experiences include adventures of hunting and fishing, backpack trips, mountaineering (climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa and others), bicycle touring in Austria, snow skiing, VW bus trip around North America in 1968, and minimalist travels in Canada, Americas, South America, Caribbean. Most notable and memorable for him was a 363-day deep-water sailing adventure on the South Pacific Ocean in his Mariner 40-foot ketch rigged sailboat “TA-ATA-ORI” (Dancing Man).

The latest 30-plus year adventure of North Idaho had been the “capstone experience” in his life. The last years spent winding down, enjoying the changing seasons, family, good friends, neighbors, and the Sandpoint community.

Some of his local volunteer involvement included helping to develop the Ed Lehman Wildlife Center at the fairgrounds, the Water Life Interpretative Center at the Sagle fish hatchery, and as hunter safety instructor for the Bonner County Sportsmen’s Association.

OZ … we will look for you in new spring blooms, peanuts on the deck, warm summer breezes, hand-cranked peach ice cream, a sailboat’s wake, Indian paintbrush, fall colors, an arrows flight, the first snow, sawdust on the shops floor, handcrafted pieces, and quiet places…

What a ride… A life well lived… We will miss you…

A gathering for friends and family will be arranged in the future.

Family and friends are invited to sign Richard’s online guest book at coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.