William Osmun
Published September 8, 2012
William Osmun
April 30, 1920 – September 8, 2012
William Osmun, 92, died in his home on September 8th from complications of pulmonary fibrosis. Bill was born in Elizabeth, N.J. where his father, Willis Osmun had a dental practice.
After graduation from Dartmouth College in 1942, Bill joined the Army Air Force. He served in the South Pacific Theater as a cryptographer for the duration of WWII. At the end of the war, having been discharged from the Army Air Force, he went to Yale where he earned his MFA in art history.
In 1948, he went to England to attend the Courtauld Institute of Art of the University of London where he pursued his studies in art history, wrote his thesis and got his PHD.
Upon returning to the United States, Bill was employed as a curator at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum in New York City for a number of years. In 1957 he moved to California to take a position as a curator at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in Los Angeles. He was one of the prime movers in building a new building for the LA County Museum of Art and moving it to its present location in the early 60’s. He loved encouraging contemporary artists in the area, visiting their studios and organizing exhibitions.
In Los Angeles, Bill met and married his wife of 45 years, Eugenie Osmun. They lived in Santa Monica until their retirement to Bainbridge Island in 1988.
Reading was always a passion for Bill. He could almost always be seen with a book, magazine or newspaper in his hands. His knowledge was encyclopedic on almost any subject, but especially in art history. At the same time, he was a modest person and has been called a true gentleman with style and humor. Ballet, opera and theater were also among his interests.
Bill is survived by his wife, Eugenie Osmun, by two daughters, Tatyana Thompson and Martha Thompson-Brandon, and by a son, Peter Thompson; by six grand sons, Justin Gillespie, Alexander Leshnick, Thomas Brandon, Theodore Leshnick, Nicholas Brandon and Nicholas Lodato-Thompson.
A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, September 30th at 12 noon at St. Elizabeth Orthodox Church, 26580 Breidablik Place NW, Poulsbo, WA 98370. Driving directions can be found on St. Elizabeth website: www.stelizabethorthodox.org.
Remembrances can be made to the St. Elizabeth Building and Maintenance Fund or to the charity of your choice.
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