wfn.org | Ronald Osborn

["Curt Miller"<wshuffit@oc.disciples.org>]

The Rev. Dr. Ronald E. Osborn, a widely respected Disciples minister, 
scholar and church historian died this morning in Eugene, Oregon. He 
was the first moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of 
Christ). 

Dr. Osborn was a professor of church history at Christian Theological 
Seminary, Indianapolis, for 23 years.  He was dean of that 
institution for 11 years. 

He was the author of nine books.  The first in a three-volume 
analysis of preaching in Christian history, "The Folly of God: Rise 
of Christian Preaching," was released by the Chalice Press in 1997. 

At the time of Dr. Osborn's death, he and his wife, Nola, were 
members of First Christian Church, Eugene, Oregon. 

Dr. Osborn died early Thursday morning, October 1.  He had suffered a 
heart attack, and died after two emergency surgeries to repair damage 
suffered in the heart attack.  

Eugene First Christian Church reports that Dr. Osborn's funeral will 
be held Thursday, October 8, 1998 at 3:00 p.m. at the church.  

A more complete obituary will follow as a Disciples News Service 
Story.