Roger R. Osborne
July 4, 1946 ~ October 16, 2012
Roger R. Osborne, 66, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, formerly of Dubuque, Iowa, passed away on October 16, 2012, at Scenic Manor Nursing home in Iowa Falls, Iowa. No services are planned at this time. Roger was born July 4, 1946, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He worked for many years in Dubuque, for the Dubuque County Historical Society at the River Boat museum. Most recently he had been working for Target in Cedar Rapids. Roger was honorably discharged from the US Army and was a great lover of music and literature. He is survived by his father, Don Osborne of Montgomery, Alabama; sister, Nancy (Osborne) Barker, of Petersfield UK; brother, Dave Osborne, of Duluth, Minnesota; sister, Barb Osborne, of Grand Marais, Minnesota; daughter, Jessica Goodenow Finke, of Iowa Falls, Iowa; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Jeanne Randolph Osborne. Memorials may be directed to the local Hospice of your choice.
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Jess, my heart aches for you and your family. I am always here for you.
So sorry for your loss
To the whole family,
I have really enjoyed Rogers company and we had so many laughs. That is what I will remember the most! Go with peace to all.
Peace be to you Roger, and a hope for healing to all you left behind. The world is a better place for having knowing you.
Roger you were a true hero and loved by so many. I will miss you and your smile. — RIP my friend, you’ve fought a hard battle and earned the right to fly with the angels !!
Roger was my first boss at Musicland. He has always been with me in one form or another for all these years, and will remain with me until it’s my turn to move on.
Please accept my heart felt sympathy for you loss.
Boss, Friend and Music Man
Roger was my first boss at Musicland. After the interview he has 3 things to say to me. “Your hired, get a hair cut, and buy some new shoes.” And with that, I started a life journey that Roger is responsible for.
It wasn’t long after being hired by Roger that we became friends. It was through Roger that I met many whom had a direct and positive impact on my life.
It was his management style that I adopted, and had become a part of my management style to this very day.
Roger never stopped amazing me when it came to music. The man was an encyclopedia of music trivia. He introduced me to so much music and artists that I would have missed had I not known him. At Musicland, he had hundreds of albums in the back room that he intended to add to his collection. And every now and then he would go to his stash and choose an album to buy. And with every purchase he would tell me why he picked it along with the trivia that was part of the album and artist.
His friendship vastly enlarged my world and I am eternally greatful for knowing him and being allowed into his world.
I had known Roger for over 20 years. We worked together on Dubuque County Historical Society projects. One included mounting a local labor history exhibit, “Workers, Unions, and Workplaces, Dubuque, Iowa,” in conjunction with a travelling Smithsonian exhibit, “Badges of Pride: Symbols and Images of American Labor.” We also presented together at a history conference in Des Moines. We talked about how a historian and museum curator collaborate to do public history. I always found Roger insightful and skilled. I had not seen him in several years. I always admired his commitment to his craft.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Rogers family, especially his children and grandchildren. I was blessed to meet Roger at his fathers birthday party and Osborne reunion. My mother has many fond memories of Roger and his siblings…