October 14, 2022
Tom Osborne, a journalist, author, former United Nations Bureau Chief for ABC’s World News Tonight with Peter Jennings has died at his home in Tennessee Ridge, TN.
Tom Osborne, a high school football athlete from Ohio went on to become a student of theology at Augustana University where he received his BA degree. In 1975 – 78 he attained his Masters Of Divinity from Methesco Seminary (Methodist Theological School) in Columbus Ohio. In 1976/77 he also attended a Fellowship program at Durham University in the UK.
Upon returning to the U.S., Tom became a member of The Paulist Fathers of California. This is where ABC-TV Capital Cities first spotted Tom as an on camera talent. He was already being recognized as a fresh star that represented the Catholic Church in their television broadcasts. Capital Cities convinced Tom to move to NYC and teamed him up with their senior anchorman Peter Jennings. Peter wanted Tom to report from within the United Nations on then ‘Desert Storm’ and the Gulf War.
These were heady times for Tom who by then had formed his own NYC Rat Pack with close friends: Actor Christopher Reeves and comedians Robin Williams and Sandra Bernhard. The four friends visited New York’s clubs together and were now all enjoying great success in their careers.
Prior to all this, in 1985 – 87, Tom Osborne served as U.S. Director of the Amsterdam based Ann Frank Foundation. He inaugurated the first annual ‘Ann Frank Award’ for human rights in the United States.
In 1992, Tom’s UN colleagues elected him to be President of their correspondents association, (aka) U.N.C.A. This meant that during interviews with Presidents, Kings, Queens, Dictators and all international luminaries, Tom got to ask the first question during press conferences. Sometimes the statesmen were surprised by his tenacity.
Tom became entrenched by the war in Bosnia and the genocide in Srebrenica. His news coverage of that event was given the ‘Francisco de Miranda medal’, one of journalisms highest awards. Years later, Tom Osborne with co-author Dr. David Kanervo published their first book, ‘Genocide For Beginners’. This would become Tom’s life mission, to see that all genocide were exposed and not forgotten by media news cycles. He was even more determined today by the horror events in Ukraine.
After Tom retired from the UN correspondent position, he founded a syndicated radio program titled, ‘U.S. World Report’, with its usworldreport.org website. The program originated from FOX affiliate WLEA 1480AM in Hornell, N.Y. This weekly program ran for six years straight and can now be heard as an archived podcast.
It wasn’t long after this that Tom decided to pen his second book titled,
‘The Politics Of War–My Ten Year Journey With Peter Jennings’. The book is a re-cap of what it’s like to work in television journalism at its highest level. It’s filled with anecdotes of personal stories and behind the scenes activities at ABC-TV. Now with his acquired agent/fiance Linda Darby, Tom was being scheduled for speaking engagements and book signing tours throughout the United States.
Tom Osborne, never one to let the dust settle for too long was recently asked to write the authorized biography on the life and times of songwriter Lou Stallman. The book is about the music industry and one of its most creative talents. The time frame is from the 1950’s to the present and it’s titled, ‘Treasure Of Love’.
Sadly, upon completion, Tom passed away just one week later. But according to Tom he said, “I think it’s my best work to date!” The book will be released in 2023 through Amazon.com. There is also an original film adaptation in development inspired by Colorado screenwriter Lorne Dey. Lorne insisted Tom Osborne was to author this biography and now readers will be glad he did. RIP Mr. Osborne, your journey is now complete. Please consider (in lieu of flowers) sending donations to Reporters Without Borders by pasting or texting, rsf.org
