| John
F. Osborn |
| Ed. note: Jack Osborn, known to many of you, edited this Newsletter for almost 26 years before passing the reins to Ken Dawson. Even in retirement, Jack continued to be interested in and involved with the Newsletter, helping Ken to track down articles and get hold of delinquent contributors. His contributions, devotion and energy expended to ensure the life and quality of this publication were immeasurable. Our community has lost another pioneer John
F. Osborn (Jack) 91, a Sacramento resident since 1991, and previously
of San Jose, died March 4, 2006. Eleanor, his wife of 63 years preceded
him in death in 2003. Jack was born in Montmartre, Saskatchewan,
Canada, and graduated from the University of Manitoba with a degree
in electrical engineering. He married Eleanor Stacey of Peterborough,
Ontario, Canada in 1940 and the couple remained in Peterborough,
while Jack worked for Canadian General Electric. In 1948, Jack accepted
a job in San Francisco with the USA branch of GE and moved to Piedmont,
California. He moved to Willow Glen in San Jose in 1963, after transferring
to GE's nuclear energy division in SJ. In 1991, Jack and Eleanor
moved to Sacramento to be near their grandchildren. He was a loving
father of Dr. John M. Osborn of Sacramento (wife, Dr. Katie Osborn)
and Dr. Jane Osborn of Los Altos (husband, Jonathan Shores). He
was a devoted grandfather to John's children, Staci and Mike Osborn.
He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Marjory and Ward
English of London, Ontario. Jack worked for GE for 45 years, as
an electrical and nuclear engineer, before retiring in 1983. During
WW2, Jack designed the electrical systems for the minesweepers used
by the Canadian Navy. He was Editor in Chief of the Institute of
Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Nuclear and Plasma Sciences
Society Newsletter for 26 years until 1994. He was the recipient
of the IEEE divisional professional leadership award for outstanding
service and leadership in 1992, and the IEEE-NPSS R.F. Shea distinguished
member award in 1994. He was a member of IEEE, the California Writers
Club, and the First Congregational Church of Oakland and San Jose.
Jack will be remembered as an intelligent, kind, talented and handy
person, who could design, build and repair just about anything.
He enjoyed diverse interests, including photography, woodworking,
reading and writing. Plans for a memorial service are still pending.
|
 John F. Osborn |
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