Donor Spotlight: Michael Osborn
Michael Osborn donates half a million to the Columbia Basin Foundation
Michael Osborn was a quiet and humble gentleman in the truest sense of the word. Mike was considered by his friends to be something of a Renaissance man having interests and expertise in a variety of fields. He was extremely well read, inheriting his love of books and passion for education from his mother. He especially cared for the condition of our planet, as well as the plight of his fellow man, preserving our democracy, the beauty of the arts, and the wonders of science.
On March 13, 1938, Michael was born in Forks, Washington, to Leo Ellis Osborn and Margaret Evelyn Killmer. At the time, his father was a laborer and his mother a homemaker. They followed the crops working from Washington to California as migrants during the summers of Mike’s childhood. He loved hiking, camping, the mountains, the ocean, and the Olympic Peninsula. An outstanding student, he graduated from high school in Oakland, California, and was awarded a scholarship to attend the University of California, Berkeley, near Oakland. Mike interrupted his studies to spend several years serving his country in the US Army before eventually graduating from college in psychology and film making. He spent most of his professional career working in the Public Works Departments of California's Sonoma and Alameda Counties.
After having been friends from their Berkeley days, Mike married Roberta Craig in Ephrata on October 10, 1991. They welcomed friends into their home for many wonderful barbeques and thought-provoking discussions, along with fun-filled games of croquet. For many years, Michael and Roberta spent some time nearly every afternoon with a stimulating game of Scrabble. Mike was appreciated by all for his honesty, conscientiousness, sense of humor, concern for others, and interest in the environment.
Sadly, Michael passed away from cancer at the Columbia Basin Hospital at the age of 83 on December 11, 2021. His beloved wife predeceased him by 21/2 years. After living so much of his later life in Ephrata, it was decided to leave much of his estate to benefit our community through two endowments with the Columbia Basin Foundation in areas that were of special interest to him: the environment, education, the public library, seniors and youth. The Michael Osborn Memorial Scholarship will launch in 2023, and Osborn’s legacy will greatly benefit students and our community in perpetuity. CBF is so thankful for the amazing generosity of Michael Osborn. Together, we will make a difference.