Kevin Osburn

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Kevin Osburn

I'm sad to read that Kevin died last week, apparently after a brief illness. He was 64. No info yet on services but I'll update here.

Kevin was at the center of the Atlanta windsurfing world for many years. He could do it all– high wind, freestyle and especially course racing. Kevin was Greg Dillion's training partner and coach for Greg's Olympic Trials bid in 1992. We travelled together frequently to regattas during the IMCO- Tudor Mistral heyday, often in Kevin's cool, converted hearse. Man that thing could fly! With a big V8 and long wheelbase, it was nothing to rocket down the Florida backroads late on a Friday night at 100mph, en route to a race. Kevin was always generous with his windsurfing and racing knowledge and mentored many a newbie. Kevin was there at the first Atlanta Fall Regatta, 45 years ago and was a long time member of Lake Lanier Sailing Club where he and 7 others were dubbed "The Crazy Eights" by the traditional sit-down sailors who didn't know what to make of their newfangled sailing contraptions.

I never saw Kevin when he wasn't smiling and I know he will be missed by many.

From his friend Laura:
"If I learn anything as I grow older, wiser, it is how very precious each moment in this life is.
Life is a miracle. It is meant to be lived fully. To embrace each sunrise, revel in the magic of a flower budding, a waterfall, a dandelion, a bird’s song, raindrops pooling on the surface of a leaf, the smell of the earth after a spring rain, the quiet of snow, the tenderness of animals, the laughter of a friend, alchemy in the kitchen… all are miracles.
I’ve not met a whole lot of people that embraced life in this way. They are rare. Most of us are too caught up in the demands of trying to make a living that we forget to live.
But this beautiful soul. Sweet Kevin.
He knew the secrets of life. There wasn’t much he had not done, and when I had a question about some new endeavor, he was the first I’d call and ask. Even though he worked in IT for years, if I was in a bind for a SUP teacher, Aerial Yoga trainer, pet sitter, chef, gardener, someone to run the yoga studio, a pottery expert, what kind of soil to put in my raises beds, what kind of food to forage on a trail, Kevin knew. His wisdom was deep and it came from a lifetime filled with savoring beautiful experiences.
I cannot believe he is gone. He was so incredibly vibrant that I didn’t ever dream there would be a day I couldn’t ask him about a subject that had stumped me. We shared so many great adventures together and paddled the most beautiful rivers, lakes, and oceans. I’m grateful for the time we shared. You will be missed dear friend.
Life is fleeting. I have a regret. Since Kevin moved to Alabama (he used to be our neighbor) we had not visited. We didn’t even reach out as much. If you think of a friend, call them. Send a letter. This life is beautiful and so fleeting."

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Re: Kevin Osburn

https://sprywilliams.com/obituary/02-13-2023-osburn-kevin-paul/

He was residing in the Florence/Muscle Shoals area not so far from where he grew up on Huntsville. I always enjoyed catching up with him when he'd come to the regattas and a link to so much club history.

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Re: Kevin Osburn

Back in the 1980's Kevin fully embraced the exciting new sport of windsurfing. He was a skilled sailor and had the latest gear. I was always in awe of his enthusiasm & sailing skill. When Kevin moved away, I lost touch for over a decade. Then one day in 2015 I got a call from Kevin asking if he could join our Spring trip to the Outer Banks. Kevin joined us with his beloved dog Zeos.

We had such a good time together. Kevin's enthusiasm for being back on the water energized us all. What a shock to read that Kevin is no longer with us.

Photos: 1st Kevin showing off his windsurfing hearse following 1989 windsurfing session at Lake Lanier. Add'l photos of Kevin joining our windsurfing group in Nags Head.

Barrett

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Re: Kevin Osburn

I am so sorry to see this. I really enjoyed seeing him at the Fall Classic over many years.

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Re: Kevin Osburn

Really sorry to hear that. I'll miss sailing with him at the Fall Classic. Maybe we can dedicate this years race to him.

I was actually thinking about him the other day because he taught aerial yoga. I was thinking about for getting instructor training from him.

Bill H.

Bill Herderich

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Re: Kevin Osburn

I didn’t know Kevin as well as most of you but the times I talked to him he always seemed honest and humble, A really nice guy.

So sorry for everyone’s loss.

Alan

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Re: Kevin Osburn

I happened on a few slides of Kevin from October 1990. This was from a slalom race we did at Van Pugh. iirc Kevin's sail is an Aeroforce race sail that featured a giant luff sleeve– really powerful but don't drop it! Blue & yellow is Scott Spreen.

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Re: Kevin Osburn

Thanks for posting photos from Kevin’s race days. What a shock. He seemed so heath conscious the last time we talked.

Barrett

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Re: Kevin Osburn
Barrett wrote:

Thanks for posting photos from Kevin’s race days. What a shock. He seemed so heath conscious the last time we talked.

It is a shock. He was health aware as long as I can remember.

Interesting to see the gear and technique of the time.

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Re: Kevin Osburn

Probable date for Kevin’s memorial gathering at LLSC is June 17th.

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Re: Kevin Osburn

Saturday, June 17th is confirmed, time tbd, but hoping for late afternoon.
More details soon.

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Re: Kevin Osburn

.

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Re: Kevin Osburn

From Reggie Strickland, co-founder of our club:
“… I met Kevin when he was trying to hold meetings of what would become Atlanta Boardsailing Club in a restaurant where the music drowned out his voice. I invited him to move it to my break room and it grew and grew.

The next step forward was attending Major Hall's Olympic training course with Kevin which brought our club to the sport's attention. Then the Lake Lanier Sailing club gave us an opportunity to demonstrate to them for consideration of their recognition of the sport. With the LLSC members lining the fence at the top of the cliff up to the clubhouse, Kevin came up the cove to LLSC on a short board at top speed and carved a perfect gibe that sent a wall of water over the fence wetting all the LLSC members there. As they walked away there was one statement they all make, "they're in".

For these reasons, I consider Kevin as the father of competitive boardsailing in Georgia. ”

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Re: Kevin Osburn
FoilDodo wrote:

... With the LLSC members lining the fence at the top of the cliff up to the clubhouse, Kevin came up the cove to LLSC on a short board at top speed and carved a perfect gibe that sent a wall of water over the fence wetting all the LLSC members there. As they walked away there was one statement they all make, "they're in".

We should all be so lucky to have a scene like that in our life. A story that will be told to my grandkids.

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Re: Kevin Osburn

bump to keep this up front

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