Guest Book for
Nathan W. Osborn

July 12, 2005
Ms Jochnick-
I would like to express my most heartfelt condolences at the death of
your husband, Nate. I saw the article in the Post today and felt just
completely dumbstruck. I knew Nate from my time as a DC bike
messenger, and he was one of those presences that made me feel lucky
to work in the industry. He was a consummate professional as well as a
warm, unpretentious, good-hearted man. I could talk to him about
anything and be rewarded with his insights, but of course it was when
the subject turned to his work in the human rights struggle that he
really shone. It was always a wonder to me, on days when it seemed
like enough of an accomplishment to just get up and through another
day on the bike, that this man was going home and taking more time out
of his day to help people he didn't know on the other side of the
world. He was really one of those people who, in a quiet, unassuming
way, was helping to change the world for the better.
In the messenger community, we are separated from our colleagues for
most of the day, and get to know one another in little intervals:
waiting at a loading dock, signing in at an office building, passing
one another at a bike rack. Once in a while we get together for a race
or a party, and that is when we get to find out a little more about
each other. Nate, to me, was one who constantly surprised me with the
depth of his character- someone who made me feel that under the
surface of ordinary life there were people who were doing great
things. The last conversation I had with Nate was characteristically
eye-opening. I was walking to the office building I work in now and
met him coming out of a building at 21st and L st NW. We chatted, and
he asked me how the road racing was going (this is what I am known for
among the couriers). I had some good results last season and so was
feeling pretty good about it, and I gladly reeled off a few stories
about my little successes. Nate was -again, characteristically-
receptive and encouraging, and congratulated me on my victories. Then
I asked him what he had been up to. He proceeded to, in his low-key
manner, fill me in on the work that he had been doing for human rights
and for ETAN: traveling, organizing, writing, campaigning. When he got
done bringing me up to date, I felt in a sense very small, because the
racing that I'd been doing seemed so frivolous in perspective. But I
didn't feel diminished; he was never, ever overbearing or
holier-than-thou. It was just that in his own down-to-earth way he had
given me a glimpse of a wider perspective, and shown me once again
what a real accomplishment is: helping other people.
I was not close with Nate, nor could I ever expect to meet him at a
regular time or place; our relationship was one of happenstance.
However, I think that I will, as the world will, feel his absence
quite acutely. -John Whittington
PS- I would like to publish a short remembrance of Nate on the
District of Columbia Bicycle Courier Association's new website, which
I am currently developing. I will send you a link once the page is up.
If you would like to send a picture, or direct donations to a charity,
please let me know.
Thanks- John


July 12, 2005
Nate was a friend for over 30 years and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was a kind and gentle person, who had the courage to do right and always help the underdog. The world is a poorer place without him.
Don Bonsteel (Catonsville, MD )

Monday, June 20, 2005
RIP Nate Osborn

On Thursday of last week, at 2:30 PM, my friend Nate Osborn died from complications related to cancer.

I met Nate through work with the East Timor Action Network, and he was one of the most devoted activists I've known. He was a "long hauler" -- he was involved for as long as I've known about East Timor; he served with the International Federation for East Timor's Observer Project; and he constantly gave his time to the endless list of tasks facing ETAN/DC.

Nate was also an indefatigably positive person (I can't recall a single instance of his having bad feelings toward anyone), and radiated a calm reassurance. He had a deadpan sense of humor, and took delight in the little things of life. After several hours of discussions and "decision making" in a conference room, Nate would lead the assembled ETANers through Tai Chi exercises to help us relax. Even after Timor Loro Sa'e won its independence and many ETAN activists turned toward other pressing concerns, I knew I could expect to see Nate at our national meetings, and I always looked forward to seeing him.

Nate was also one of the only ETAN folks who ever gave me feedback on my music. At one ETAN gathering back in the day, I brought copies of my album Viva Timor (now out of print), and sold them for $1.00 each. Nate grabbed one up right away and the next day (it was a 2-day gathering) told me how much he enjoyed it. He asked about the process I used to make the tunes, and every time I saw him, he asked about my latest work.

Good knowing you, Mr. Nate O. May you be at peace wherever you are.
Eric