Richard Osberg

BMCM Richard G. Osberg USN (RET), better known as "The Master Chief", was born February 13, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois, where he spent his childhood and young adult years before joining the United States Navy at a young age. He served on the USS BRAINE DD630 during the Vietnam War and later served in Operation Desert Storm while in the United States Naval Reserves. He proudly served his country for 30 years before his retirement. He was also employed by Lucent Technologies from which he retired after 26 years of service. Richard passed from this life unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 22, 2008, at the age of 61.
Richard, or Dickey, as he was affectionately called by friends and family, was a man of so many talents. To his family and friends he was a wonderful and loving son, brother, brother-in-law, husband, father, father-in-law, son-in-law and grandpa. He was a fabulous chef, great magician, excellent handyman, exceptional and crafty woodworker, a horseshoe-playing champion, a mentor, a best friend and a hero. He was never idle, always working on a new project in his favorite place, his workshop. Richard was also very active in the USS BRAINE DD630 Reunion Association. We will remember him for his wit, sense of humor, intellect and his vast amount of love for his family and friends. Though Richard is no longer with us in body, his spirit and love of life lives on in all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mayme Osberg; father, Burton Osberg; a sister, Sharon Osberg; and one brother, Gary Osberg. He was the son-in-law of James and Helen Spanos, now deceased.
He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Carol A. Osberg; two daughters, Jennifer (Osberg) Simanek and husband, Tom of New Berlin, Wisconsin and Stephanie Osberg of Little Rock; two brothers, Kurt Osberg and wife, Janet of Wood Dale, Illinois and Kenny Osberg of Illinois; one sister, Patti Pieszko and husband, Zbignew of Des Plaines, Illinois; three beautiful grandchildren, Nathan Simanek, Lauren Simanek and Jacob Simanek of New Berlin, Wisconsin; a brother-in-law, James Spanos, Sr. and wife, Sherri of Tomball, Texas; a sister-in-law, Nicci Spanos of Huntsville, Texas; and a host of nieces, nephews and very dear friends. Richard touched the lives of everyone he knew in a very special way and will be dearly missed. We love you!
A service will be held in his honor at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 31, 2008 at Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct. (NW corner I-630 and Barrow Rd.), Little Rock. Interment with full Military Honors will follow at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN or to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501)224-2200. Please visit Richard's online guestbook at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.