In Memoriam.
Patrick Lee Osbon, May 1st 1951-July 26th 2022.
by Sara Toby Moore.
Patrick Osbon was a visionary leader, a true renaissance man and the greatest friend imaginable. During his years as Circus Center’s Executive Director he built what was then known as the San Francisco School of Circus Arts into a world-class performing arts training center, yet that was only one part of a beautifully lived life. He’s had many interesting careers, including leadership of the San Francisco Mime Troupe and the New Pickle Circus and as a lauded executive recruiter with Bay Area entrepreneur Richard Tuck’s Lander International. In recent years he was known to students throughout the Sacramento and Amador County school districts as beloved teacher “Mr. O.” He taught mainly Special Ed all the way from K-12 and his innate compassion and empathy made huge impacts on the lives of children with both difficult home lives and immense challenges. He loved teaching and his students and fellow teachers adored him. But it was his work in politics as a young adult that primed him for a life in circus and education. Patrick was an aid and advisor to Senators Alan Cranston (D-CA) and Frank Church (D-ID) and he has the courageous distinction of being the first gay man to publicly represent a very famous Senator: his coming-out was announced in Newsweek Magazine when Senator Church introduced legislation to protect LGBTQ people.
As lucky chosen family members we knew Patrick as the picture of graciousness. He was a charming host, phenomenal conversationalist and brilliant chef, and was even a professional caterer for a time. We were often treated to his wonderful cooking and his infamously spectacular pies. He also had impeccable taste and his apartments were always packed with fine art and crystal and his book shelves were filled with the likes of Gore Vidal, Christopher Isherwood and a stunning range of poetry; Rainier Maria Rilke was his heart’s centerpiece.
The term larger-than-life was invented for gentlemen like Patrick. He was super intelligent, generous, adventurous, boisterous, with the biggest laugh in the room. Like his dear Circus Center compadres Peggy Ford, Paoli Lacy, Caroline Jones and Joan Mankin, who all preceded him to the other side, Patrick was a refuge. All great humans are. We will miss him with fury.
Thank you, sir, and a happy flight.
“Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final.” - Rilke