Honors director Richard Osberg dies at age 60
Esteemed English professor dies after 25 years of service at Santa Clara
By Natasha Lindstrom
Issue date: 10/25/07 Section: News
Originally published: 10/24/07 at 11:23 PM PSTLast update: 10/26/07 at 3:28 PM PST
Dressing daily in sweater vests and ties, Osberg also had the look of a professional academic, yet students say he emitted an amicable presence that made everyone around him feel comfortable.
"He definitely held himself in a distinguished way, but it wasn't off-putting in any sense," said Osberg's former student, senior Jared Abercrombie. "He was completely approachable and genuine and forthcoming and caring."
Favorite professor
In the English department, Osberg taught courses in Chaucer, Middle English and introductory poetry. He also taught medievalism and the renaissance in Honors 12.
Osberg ran his classes like he conducted his research, emphasizing depth and complexity over breadth and speed.
"He didn't focus on the issues of grading, structure and all these things," said Enright, a student in his Honors 12 class. "He actually focused on the intellectualism of the class."
When Abercrombie studied abroad in Europe last year, he visited some of the places he studied in Honors 12 and sent Osberg photos of artwork and sites, such as the Abbey of St. Denis and the Baptistry doors in Florence, Italy.
"He got a kick out of it because this was a full year after I had taken this class," said Abercrombie.
The heart of the honors program
Carole Wentz, assistant to Osberg since 2003, smiled fondly while recalling the demeanor and unique facial expressions of her boss. She remembered Osberg with his bushy eyebrows and thick moustache, looking up over "his little half glasses."
"He looked like a professor, always wearing his ties, kind of British, like you would picture someone at Oxford," Wentz said.
"He was the consummate scholar and gentleman, always kind, always soft spoken," Wentz said.
Osberg took students with him to the national honors councils, where they developed the idea to form the Honors Advisory Council in 2006. Since then, the council has put together fundraisers for soldiers in Iraq, quantitative analyses of preferred honors courses and the President's Reading Series.
"He definitely held himself in a distinguished way, but it wasn't off-putting in any sense," said Osberg's former student, senior Jared Abercrombie. "He was completely approachable and genuine and forthcoming and caring."
Favorite professor
In the English department, Osberg taught courses in Chaucer, Middle English and introductory poetry. He also taught medievalism and the renaissance in Honors 12.
Osberg ran his classes like he conducted his research, emphasizing depth and complexity over breadth and speed.
"He didn't focus on the issues of grading, structure and all these things," said Enright, a student in his Honors 12 class. "He actually focused on the intellectualism of the class."
When Abercrombie studied abroad in Europe last year, he visited some of the places he studied in Honors 12 and sent Osberg photos of artwork and sites, such as the Abbey of St. Denis and the Baptistry doors in Florence, Italy.
"He got a kick out of it because this was a full year after I had taken this class," said Abercrombie.
The heart of the honors program
Carole Wentz, assistant to Osberg since 2003, smiled fondly while recalling the demeanor and unique facial expressions of her boss. She remembered Osberg with his bushy eyebrows and thick moustache, looking up over "his little half glasses."
"He looked like a professor, always wearing his ties, kind of British, like you would picture someone at Oxford," Wentz said.
"He was the consummate scholar and gentleman, always kind, always soft spoken," Wentz said.
Osberg took students with him to the national honors councils, where they developed the idea to form the Honors Advisory Council in 2006. Since then, the council has put together fundraisers for soldiers in Iraq, quantitative analyses of preferred honors courses and the President's Reading Series.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Lisa Molson (Tankersley)
posted 10/25/07 @ 11:46 AM PST
Like many others, I am beyond shocked and devasated regarding the sudden passing of beloved Professor Osberg. When I think of my years attending Santa Clara University (graduated in 1996) Mr. (Continued…)
Keely Stevenson
posted 10/31/07 @ 4:54 AM PST
Dick was such an amazing man-- a true inspiration for so many of us. It saddens me to know he is gone and I can only hope to keep his spirit alive through great memories of his happy smile, kind giggle and brilliant mind. (Continued…)
Jacquie Lombard
posted 10/23/09 @ 4:20 PM PST
I was very fortunate to have Dr. Osberg as a high school English teacher fresh out of Dartmouth when he first moved to Claremont to work on his PhD. He completely turned my understanding of English literature upside down. (Continued…)
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