In the year two thousand and twenty-five, upon the third day of the month of June, a soul destined to dance to the rhythm of life’s melodies, Richard Malcolm Osborne III, did alas take his final bow. Known to his kin and comrades as Rich, he embarked upon life’s grand stage in the year nineteen hundred and seventy-five, on the seventeenth day of October, in the town of Framingham, Massachusetts. His journey through this mortal coil did lead him to Jefferson, Iowa, where he was embraced by the gentle arms of eternity, leaving the cause of his departure to the great mystery that swaddles us all.
Rich, a man of mirth and boundless love, was a beacon of light in the lives of those who had the fortune to wander in his orbit. His life was a testament to a profound ardor for existence, and he shared this zest with Reagan, his most cherished companion and wife of 27 years, with whom he crafted a life of joy and tenderness. From their loving union did blossom Meeka, their beloved daughter. Rich’s legacy included his mother Margie, who has passed beyond the veil, and his father, Rick Osborne of Jefferson, who proudly perceived in Rich the virtues of strength and compassion. To the Moon family, Steve and Janet, his gracious in-laws of Omaha, and Blake, his brother-in-law of Lincoln, he was not merely an Osborne, but an adopted Moon, illuminating their lives with laughter, camaraderie, and love. And let it be known, his faithful canine companion and Rich’s heart’s shadow Muffin, was a friend of such loyalty as to rival the storied Chewbacca.
Possessed of a keen intellect and an insatiable curiosity, Rich was a scholar adorned with laurels, holding a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a minor in Computer Information Systems, and boasting a litany of other IT certifications.
His professional tableau was rich and varied, with him being the co-founder, co-owner, and esteemed roaster of Greene Bean Coffee of Jefferson since the year two thousand and nine. Rich also served as a senior technical support engineer at Oracle since 2003, and prior to stirring the souls of many with his aromatic brews, Rich imparted wisdom as an adjunct Instructor at Front Range Community College from 2001 to 2005, and orchestrated the digital realm as systems administrator at Intrado in Boulder, Colorado.
A champion for the cause of love’s true form, Rich stood as a valiant advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, his voice a clarion call for acceptance and understanding, his boundless compassion espousing his quest for justice and equality.
Rich’s tapestry of interests was as vibrant as a Vincent van Gogh masterpiece. A culinary maestro, he wielded the spatula with the same finesse as a conductor’s baton. He was an aficionado of the cinematic arts, an ardent theatergoer, and a fervent concert attendee, with a particular fondness for the cosmic odyssey of Star Wars and the enchanting realms of Disney. The rhythm of life found expression through his playing of the drums, accompanied by the defiant anthems of punk music. His sartorial choices were a symphony of Converse Hi-Tops and Hawaiian shirts, his dad jokes and laughter a melody that could ease the weariest of hearts.
Cartoons were his pictorial soliloquies, and in the hues of Bluey did he find kindred spirits. Upon reflection, one might invoke the Bard himself to encapsulate the essence of Rich: “This above all: to thine own self be true.” For he was true to his nature—never remaining idle, funny, passionate, loving, and eternally smiling. Rich strode through life with the enthusiasm of Peter Parker, the heart of Thor, and the wit of Deadpool. In the chronicles of those who knew him, his tale is recounted with fondness and admiration, a narrative resplendent with the joy he imparted and the love he begat.
As the final act of Rich’s life concludes, we, his chosen family and myriad friends, find ourselves adrift in a sea of memories, each more precious than the last, and it is with a heavy heart that we bid farewell to Richard Malcolm Osborne III, a virtuoso of mirth to all. His soul, now freed from the confines of this earthly realm, doth soar amongst the stars, leaving us all to cherish his memory as one of profound joy and unwavering love. Fare thee well, thou noblest of spirits, till we meet again.
There will be a sendoff for Rich at Greene Bean Coffee on July 18th. Details will follow on their various social media accounts.
Memorials can be made to @RichOsborneFamilyMemorial through Venmo.
Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.sliningerschroeder.com.
