John M. Vranish
I just recently learned of Al's passing. I am very, very sad. His wife Carol, daughter Leslie and other members of the family must be devastated. I grew up with Al in Crosby Minnesota. We were best friends through high school and beyond until he moved to Hawaii. When I learned of his passing, I reflected on his extraordinary life's accomplishments. I started by searching his obituary. It revealed an extraordinary litany of accomplishments in academia and in service to our country via the Air Force and the Space Program.
Marvelous as these are, there is much more that needs to be said. I believe Alan Osterheim was a great man and a great human being. Life in 1950s Crosby had its share of stresses which adversely effected both Al and me. Al over came a troubled home life to get his own college funding and to graduate with multiple degrees from some of the most demanding programs in the world. In this, he had the unwavering support of his beautiful and gracious wife Carol.
But, what made Al a great human being in my judgement was how he persevered through all these difficulties with graciousness, good humor, thoughtfulness, strength and kindness.
Would the rest of us imitators do half as well.
Mike Vranish
