Necrology

Russell Barton Osborn '49

Aug. 14, 1926-Feb. 19, 2022

Russell Barton Osborn ’49 died where he was born — Buffalo — on Feb. 19, 2022. Russ was born on Aug. 14, 1926, and attended The Nichols School before arriving at Hamilton in 1943. In the midst of his studies, World War II was raging and he was drafted into the Army, assigned to the 17th Airborne Division. On March 24, 1945, he flew a glider during Operation Varsity, the largest single-day airborne operation in history, in which more than 16,000 paratroopers were delivered to one target in western Germany. Returning to Hamilton after the war, he was a member of Sigma Phi fraternity and played on the soccer team during his final two years, serving as team captain in his senior season.

Following graduation, Russ returned to Buffalo and earned both a law degree and a master’s degree in education at the University of Buffalo. After practicing law for a time, he suspended his legal career and taught mathematics in the Buffalo Public School system. He later returned to legal work and stayed with it until his retirement.

For many years, Russ served on the board of the Creative Education Foundation, and helped train educators in “creative problem solving,” the organization’s strategy to cultivate critical thinking skills in students.

Russ was a man of faith. An active member and elder of the New Life Assembly of God Church, he also joined the Gideons International ministry.

Russell B. Osborn is survived by his second wife, Emma Johnson Osborn, three sons, and one daughter. He was predeceased by his first wife as well as his father, Alexander F. Osborn, Class of 1909.

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