George S. Osborne

George S. Osborne, Ph.D., D.D.S., died unexpectedly on Thursday, June 14, 2007 at the age of 66. He was the beloved husband and tireless cheerleader of Joan Osborne; loving and playful father and grandfather of Brian and Karen Osborne and their daughters, Amelia (4) and Nina (1) of Weehawken, NJ; and Tonya and Jason Delborne and their daughters, Olivia (6) and Ramona (3) of Madison, WI. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Casford of Visalia, CA. Born in Freeport, IL, he and Joan raised their children in Oak Park, IL, moved to Berwyn, PA in 1993, and spent precious time with friends and family at Lake Elora in Canyon, MN. George was an optimist, a visionary, an experienced professional, and a dedicated educator. His contributions to the profession of audiology were historic and many. He was one of the nation's first private practitioners of audiology, and remained involved in both clinical service and training throughout his career. In 2000, Dr. Osborne founded the School of Audiology at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), creating a curriculum that combined high academic standards and a strong biomedical component. As dean, Osborne created AuDonline, a robust and comprehensive program designed specifically as a bridge for licensed, practicing audiologists. Graduating 960 students to date, the program will have awarded more than 2,000 Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.) degrees when its last class graduates in 2010. In May of this year, Osborne presided over the graduation of the school's first class of residential students, a day of celebration enjoyed by more than 800 people and an accomplishment reflecting Osborne's lifelong vision and professional tenacity. Dr. Osborne was founder and past president of the Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology; co-founder and past chair of the Audiology Foundation of America; co-founder and director of the American Academy of Audiology; and co-founder and director of the Accreditation Commission for Audiology Education. He worked steadfastly to promote the profession and to ensure that audiologists would achieve recognition and parity with other healthcare professionals, such as dentists, optometrists, and podiatrists. George was a playful man with a taste for adventure. A veteran boat driver and inventor of countless water-ski tricks, he also went skydiving for the first time on his 65th birthday. An avid and accomplished pilot, he built an experimental seaplane, the Seawind, a project that took three years. His plane, embossed with the logo of a loon (the fastest amphibious bird and a frequent sight on Lake Elora), won the prestigious Lindy Award in Oshkosh in 2004. In 2006, he and his wife won a cross-country race commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers. Two memorial services will be held. The first on Friday evening, June 22 at 7 p.m. at the Paoli Presbyterian Church, located at 225 S. Valley Road, Paoli, PA 19301. The second service will occur on the weekend of July 13 at the French Club in Canyon, MN. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the George S. Osborne Scholarship Fund at the PCO School of Audiology, attn: Heather Giampapa, 8360 Old York Rd., Elkins Park, PA, 19027; or http://www.pco.edu/alumni/donate_online.htm.