David Lowell Osburn

Captain, U.S. Navy

David Lowell Osburn was born on 6 September 1935, the only child of James Albert and Margaret (Sanders) Osburn. After graduating from Milby High School in Houston, TX, he entered the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating with the Class of 1959. In January of 1960, he married Linda Travis of Annapolis, MD.

In November of 1964, Osburn was assigned to the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, where his emphasis was on Weapons Systems/Ordnance Engineering. While there, he received his B.A. in Electrical Engineering. Osburn trained on the A-6 Intruder jet fighter aircraft and eventually served a combat tour in Vietnam aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV-43). In January of 1972, he attended the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA, after which he served with the Staff of Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force of the Air Attack Warfare Division. He became Executive Officer of VA-75 and, in July 1976, became Commanding Officer of the Squadron. Upon completion of his command tour, he was assigned as Air Officer aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) until November of 1979.

After an interim assignment to the Naval War College, Captain Osburn served as Acting Director of Advanced Aircraft Development and Systems Objectives Office, then Director of the Logistics Management Division and Executive Director for Logistics/Fleet Support before being ordered to the Naval Training Equipment Center in Orlando, FL, in 1983. Captain Osburn's final duty before retiring was as Inspector General of NAVAIR Command. When he retired from the Navy in 1988, after 29 years of active duty, he left a legacy of dedication to naval combat aviation, education and training systems implementation, strategic planning in the private sector and community service. His personal values matched perfectly with those of the Navy itself: "Honor, Courage, Commitment."

His medals and awards include five Strike/Flight Air Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "Valor" Device, and the Legion of Merit for "exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service."

In retirement, Captain Osburn pursued a successful career in private industry. He was Program Manager and Strategic Planning Facilitator and later, a consultant, for Northrop Grumman until 2007. During his tenure he directed a contingent of experts who provided hands-on training in combat systems operations to ships' crews deploying to the Gulf and other stations around the globe. As a colleague noted, "Dave's disarming demeanor fit perfectly into his role as a facilitator. He was sought out to lead diverse groups across the company and among customers alike to establish consensus, build executable plans and create ownership of the resulting processes." Dave had a "contagious sense of fairness…"

Osburn was known as a highly competent, yet affable leader. In his community, Captain Osburn was a leader in the Rotary Club of Annapolis and was selected twice to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Award because of his many acts of kindness over the years; he was also named Honorary Member of the Board of Directors. Captain Osburn held a strong affection for his Academy Class of 1959, servicing as a Member of the Executive Committee and Class Treasurer for 24 years. In this capacity he oversaw fundraising activities that included a recent gift to the Naval Academy Foundation of nearly $2 million. Captain Osburn's work led to his receiving the Distinguished Classmate Award at the 50th reunion of the Class of 1959.

He was a leader of the Friends of the Annapolis Symphony and served as a member of the Wardour Improvement Association.

Captain David Lowell Osburn passed away peacefully on 11 May 2010 at his Annapolis home after a long and valiant fight with cancer. His family, including his wife of 50 years, Linda, was by his side.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Osburn; his daughter, Linda Lowell (Lin) and son-in-law, Henry A. (Sonny) Long Jr., of Mann's Choice, PA; and his son, David Lowell (Chip) and daughter-in-law, Karen Denise, and his grandchildren, Christopher David and Kaylee Nicole. He is also survived by his cousin, Barbara Short of Houston, TX, who grew up with him as a sister.

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