The lasting legacy of Dr. Richard Osberg

By Editorial

Last winter, Dr. Richard Osberg sat in his chair at the head of the table in the Canterbury library. He cracked open his Geoffrey Chaucer text, flipped through a thumbful of dog-eared pages, and adjusted his beloved Chaucer tie. He then proceeded to mesmerize his students with rote recitation of passages from the "Canterbury Tales" in a flawless Middle English accent. Nearly every pair of eyes focused on Osberg as he zipped through the almost inextricable texts with child-like enthusiasm that is truly unparalleled.

Perhaps it is this enthusiasm that will most be missed as the Santa Clara community says goodbye to Richard Osberg.

As a professor, the director of the Honors Program, and as the director of the Office of Fellowships, Osberg left a most indelible mark on the university. It is with much the same zeal that Osberg pored over Chaucer texts that he gave of himself so generously to the community for 25 years.

Indeed, there isn't a student or faculty member who had the pleasure of knowing Osberg that was not touched by his dedication, his passion, his utter wisdom.

Always leading by example, Osberg encouraged fellow English professors to devote just as much energy to students and classes as individual scholarship. Whether he was inviting students to his home, to his office for their oral final exam, or helping them find a fellowship that best suited their strengths, Osberg got to know his students in a truly organic way.

And if Osberg is to leave any legacy at Santa Clara, let it be that. Let us remember with his passing the paramount importance of knowing our professors, our students, each other, in such an honest and fulfilling way.

And as we seek to honor him, we also bid him farewell, and wish him all the best as he sets out on his very own pilgrymage.