Kenneth William Osborne
November 23, 1936 - November 6, 2025
On Thursday, November 6, 2025, after several months of ill health, Ken Osborne left us at the age of 88.
Ken will be lovingly remembered and sorely missed by his wife Janet and their sons, Andrew of Winnipeg and Richard of Jackson, Tennessee, and their wives, Anu and Dodie.
Ken was born in Coventry, England, and married Janet there. They emigrated to Winnipeg in 1961. An Oxford graduate and gifted teacher, Ken taught history at Daniel McIntyre Collegiate for twelve years, and then the teaching of history at the University of Manitoba until his retirement in 1996.
Ken’s work displayed deep scholarship, a commitment to the betterment of his community and country and concern for his students. His priorities were critical thinking, citizenship and peace studies. He published several books and many academic articles and was in demand as a speaker provincially, nationally and internationally. He was honored with many awards.
As Professor Emeritus he found time to further pursue the connection between peace and education and to unearth details on the history of teaching history. He especially advocated the ideas of H.G. Wells for the use of the teaching of history as a means of promoting world peace.
Although his career necessitated travel, he was essentially a stay-at-home guy who was most content to be with his family and to work in the garden with Janet. He enjoyed making curry and listening to jazz as he read countless books from the pile around his reading chair. He left home once a week for sessions as a jazz drummer with a number of his friends.
He touched many lives, and his work has had a continuing effect in the classrooms of Manitoba. The family thanks the staff of the Poseidon Care Centre for looking after Ken during his final days.
A private cremation has taken place. A remembrance celebration with family will be held.
Flowers are gratefully declined. Gifts honouring Ken can be made to the charity of your choice, or to the University of Manitoba at: https://give.umanitoba.ca/ Scroll down to the Donor Form.
Branch & Pyre Cremation Care