Stephen Templeton Osborne

1947 - 2025

Stephen Templeton Osborne

April 17, 1947 - August 27, 2025

Richland, Washington - Stephen Templeton Osborne was born April 17, 1947 to Joseph Vernon Osborne and Betty LaVerne Templeton. He passed away August 27, 2025. He was surrounded by family, friends, and had his beloved dog Olive on his lap.

Stephen was born in Pasco, WA. He attended Westgate Elementary, Highland's middle school during the first year it opened, then Kennewick High school, where he Graduated in 1965.

He attended Central Washington State College in Ellensburg the following fall where he majored in economics. He would often hitchhike home to visit his parents. A lifelong aviation enthusiast, Stephen passed all testing and interviews for the Marine Corps Aviation program during his senior year. He dreamt of flying the F-4 Phantom. A slight color vision deficiency provided a change of direction. He instead enlisted in the Army Reserves.

During that year he married Karen Miller of Eugene, Oregon. They would be married 55 years.

After graduating from Central, he applied and was accepted to Gonzaga Law School. Steve was proud to attend law school where he made many lifelong friends. After graduating, he was hired at Loney, Westland, Raekes. Out of this firm Raekes Rettig, Osborne was formed in 1977. His practice focused primarily on insurance defense. He was president of the local bar in the 1990s, and later served on the Washington State Bar Association Board of Governors. In 2011, he was inducted into the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel.

Nearing retirement from the law firm, Steve was appointed as a district court judge where he served for five years. He made many friends at the courthouse and thoroughly enjoyed his time as a district court judge. He felt it was a position of service, and made it his goal for each person who appeared before him to feel that they were thoroughly heard, and truly had their day in court.

Stephen also served on several boards: Columbia Industries, the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation, the Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau, Kennewick Kiwanis, and the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce. He was a dedicated Kennewick Kiwanian as was his father. He volunteered for many years taking tickets at the Benton Franklin County Fair.

Stephen volunteered for Water Follies for a decade, spending eight years on the board, and two years as president. He enjoyed working with his fellow Water Follies volunteers and took pride in helping bring to life a community event that brought enjoyment to so many in the Tri-Cities.

He was an involved parent and grandfather who took pride in supporting the endeavors of his children and grandchildren. During the young years of his family, he coached youth basketball and served as a youth soccer referee. He purchased a time share on the Oregon coast where his children would build countless lifelong memories, to include fishing trips, hunting for agates, and driftwood bonfires on the beach.

Stephen was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Betty, and his sister Kathy. He is survived by his wife Karen, His children Kara Beauchamp (Ryan), Andrew Osborne (Natalie), and his grandchildren Emma, Rowan, Andie, and Stevie.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday September 13 from 11 am to 2 pm at the Zintel Creek clubhouse.