Richard Thomas Osborne

Richard Thomas "Rick" Osborne passed away in his sleep early on May 9, 2019 at home in Cornelius, NC after a long battle with cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer). He was just three weeks shy of his 70th birthday. Rick's remains will be cremated, and a celebration of his life will be held at his home. Rick was an Air Force brat, born in Washington, DC. He was an Eagle Scout and a 1971 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. In the Air Force, he piloted the C-141 "Starlifter" from Charleston AFB, South Carolina. After leaving the Air Force he became a commercial airline pilot, first with Braniff International in San Antonio, Texas, then with USAirways in Charlotte, North Carolina. He retired from USAirways in 2014 to enjoy life with his friends and family on Lake Norman and shooting at the Mecklenburg Wildlife Club. Rick was preceded in death by his father, Col. Thomas F. Osborne, USAF, and his mother, Mary R. "Fritz" Osborne. He is survived by his longtime partner Shirli de Saye, his brother Bill Osborne (Pat), his nephew Colin Osborne, and his niece Elizabeth Pia (Anthony). In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in Rick's memory to The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation via the link below.