Robert Kent Bob Osborn, age 88, of 343 Colorado Ave. SW., Huron, died Tuesday, October 3, 2006, at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls. The family will be present at the Welter Funeral Home to greet friends from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 7. On Sunday, October 8, everyone is invited and welcomed to join his family at 3:00 p.m. for a memorial celebration of Roberts life at the family home at 343 Colorado St. S.W., Huron, SD. A private family burial service of his cremated remains will be at Riverside Cemetery with Military Rites by the Huron Veterans Council. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Robert Osborn Memorial Fund at the Nordby Recreation Center, 1700 Lincoln Ave. SW, Huron (605-352-2627). Robert Kent Osborn was born on August 8, 1918, in Huron to Sheldon Clark and Ella (Hettinger) Osborn. He attended parochial and public schools in Huron. Roberts basketball prowess and long legs were legendary when he and his teammates won the South Dakota State A Basketball Championships in 1936 and 1937. Robert graduated from Huron High School in 1937 and went on to attend college at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN. He graduated with a B.A. in Economics in 1941. Not long after his graduation from Notre Dame, the country entered World War II. Robert enlisted in the U.S. Navy in March of 1942. While waiting to be called up, he completed Civilian Pilot Training in hopes that he would be accepted into the Navy as a pilot. But, he was called up and reported for officer training at Midshipmen School at Columbia University in October of 1942. While attending Midshipmen School, Robert met Elizabeth York Vosler, who would become his wife and love of 63 years. Upon graduation from Midshipmen School, Lieutenant Osborn reported for duty in the South Pacific. He was assigned to New Caledonia in the Supply Shipping Service. Eight months later, Robert was reassigned to the U.S.S. Castor, a state-of-the-art military supply ship supporting combat troops. In 1944, Robert transferred to the troop transport ship, the U.S.S. Hinsdale, which was involved in both the invasion of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Robert was honorably discharged on November 5, 1945, and transferred to the USNR. On May 30, 1944, Robert and Elizabeth were married at St. Marys Church in San Francisco. After World War II ended, they returned to Huron, SD where Robert joined his mother, Ella, in running the Osborn Clothing Company. He later acquired and expanded the business into a chain of 15 specialty stores spread over four states. He was an active businessman in other endeavors such as the Huron Mall, Village Bowl in Aberdeen and Mitchell, and farming. Robert was committed to building and improving the economic future of his community. He was extremely proud of serving on the South Dakota Cement Commission and the South Dakota Highway Commission and was a forceful advocate in keeping Huron connected to the growing commerce in the state. During his tenure he oversaw the distribution of 22 million dollars of highway funds in the Huron area. He also served on the Board of Directors of the local National Bank of SD. His deep commitment to South Dakota, democracy and a strong middle-class evolved into an active participation and influence in the Democratic Party. He was involved in local, state and national politics through fundraising and campaigning for Democratic candidates. One of his greatest honors was serving as Chairman of Hubert Humphreys 1968 South Dakota Presidential Campaign Committee. By participating in the nations political process, Robert counted among his friends and associates former Senator Hubert Humphrey, Senator George McGovern, Governor Richard Kneip, and Senator Tom Daschle. And he found many friends among local active members including Dave Johnson, Bob Kuni, Don Cook, and many others. Like his mother, Ella, Robert was a member of the Catholic Church and long-time supporter of St. Martins Church. Even though Robert retired from the Osborn Clothing Company in 1989, he remained active as a consultant. He also retained a controlling interest in the Village Bowl in Aberdeen. During his life, Robert enjoyed living large. He valued the knowledge and experiences found in travel. While he was actively engaged with the issues of his days, he loved the peacefulness of a new day dawning and all that it might bring. Even when Robert retired from business, he never retired from life. Instead he was planning his next project or adventure. He pursued a life-long dream of painting, revealing a remarkable gift for art. He enjoyed gardening and creating a tree-filled refuge. He continued to root for his Notre Dame football and basketball teams. He enjoyed visiting his nine children who had scattered across the country. He was especially devoted to his wife, Elizabeth, and his friends of many years. Grateful for having shared his life are his beloved wife, Elizabeth (Huron) and his nine children; Sheldon Clark Osborn and Kent Osborn both from Sioux Falls SD; Janet Kirkland Osborn, Chicago, IL; Mary Elizabeth (Wayne Wetherell) Osborn, DelMar, CA; John York (Sue Fleck) Osborn, Huron, SD; Carol Ann Osborn, Salt Lake City, UT, Victoria Jean (Erik Kingston) Osborn, Boise, ID; Patricia Margaret (Mark Reilly) Osborn, Camarillo, CA; Thomas Andrew Osborn, Marthas Vineyard, MA; and 16 grandchildren Andy Osborn, Sara Lyon, Patricia Textor, Andrew Wetherell, Michael Wetherell, Stephen Wetherell, Mark Osborn, Jossef Osborn, Brien Osborn, Ela Osborn, Jeremy Fleck, Eliel Hindert, Elizabeth Hindert, RuiSha Kingston, Thomas Reilly and Danny Reilly. He was preceded in death by his parents Sheldon Clark and Ella (Hettinger) Osborn; and brother, Sheldon Clark Osborn, Jr.