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David Lee Vosburg, Ph.D., died peacefully in the family home in Houston on Thursday morning, Oct. 30, 2020.
Vosburg, the son of Rollo Ralph (Buddy) Vosburg and Anna Elizabeth Hollingsworth Vosburg, was born Dec. 24, 1930, in Enid, Okla. David was a child of the Depression and World War II, both of which impacted him greatly.
He graduated from Enid High School in 1948, and immediately enrolled in Phillips University in his hometown. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in geology in 1952, and a Master of Science in geology in 1954 from the University of Oklahoma, Norman.
In 1954, he was drafted into the U.S. Army as a topographic map compiler and chief topographic surveyor with the 549th Engineer Company stationed at the Presidio of San Francisco. During his two years of military service, he was involved in the topographic mapping of northern Alaska.
Vosburg returned to the University of Oklahoma enrolling in their doctoral program. He earned a PhD in geology in 1963. Both his master's thesis and doctoral dissertation were published in the Oklahoma Geological Survey Bulletin and were read widely in academic circles.
His academic teaching career between 1950 and 2002 impacted numerous undergraduate students at Phillips University, Enid; University of Oklahoma, Norman; OCU, Oklahoma City; University of Rhode Island, Kingston, R.I.; Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Ark.; College of the Mainland, Texas City; and San Jacinto College, Houston.
In 1959, while teaching night classes at OCU, he met his future wife, Carolyn Ruth Whaley. They were married June 6, 1960, in Tulsa and began their life together in Kingston, R.I., where both of their children were born.
The Vosburg family moved to Jonesboro, Ark., in 1966, when he was appointed to create and chair the Geology Department at Arkansas State University. During those Arkansas years (1966-1995), his expertise as a geologist was recognized by four successive Arkansas governors: Winthrop Rockefeller, David Pryor, Bill Clinton and Guy Tucker. They appointed Vosburg to the Board of the Arkansas Geologic Commission, on which he served from 1968 to 1995. For 10 years he served as board chairman.
He was a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Sigma Xi Honorary Scientific Fraternity and American Association of University Professors.
His one passion was reading about, learning and playing duplicate bridge. Both of his parents were avid bridge players, so Vosburg learned the game from childhood. He competed at the regional level in numerous tournaments, earning the designation as a Silver Life Master by the American Contract Bridge League, and was a club director. Soon after retiring from ASU, he and his wife relocated to Houston, where he not only played duplicate bridge, but began teaching the game to a younger generation. On his deathbed when asked if there was anyone he'd like to see or talk to besides his family, he said, "My bridge friends!" He loved the game, and his students loved him.
Teaching, imparting wisdom and sharing life lessons was at the core of Vosburg's being, his heart. He was a backpacker, a rock and fossil hound, vegetable gardener, a carpenter and woodworker. He taught these hobbies and skills to his children and granddaughters.
No one was a stranger to Vosburg, as he could make a friend out of anyone, any time, any place. Those that knew him well speak of his kindness, patience and perseverance. He was always 'Mr. Happy-Go-Lucky,' and forever telling jokes, stories and tales of the era in which he grew up. He was the funny guy.
Vosburg was preceded in death by his parents and his only sibling: John M Vosburg, of Wichita, Kan.
He leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Carolyn, of the home; a daughter, Kathryn Ann Vosburg-Miller, and husband, Dennis, of Houston; and a son, William Bradley Vosburg, of Fairview, Tenn. His three grandchildren will mourn his absence from their lives: Francesca Seretti LaMontagne, Cleveland, Ohio; Giuliana Seretti, Fort Collins, Colo.; and Makena Grace Vosburg, Nolensville, Tenn.
Graveside services for the immediate family and close friends were held at 9:45 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston. Contributions in Vosburg's name may be made to www.crosswalkcenter.org of Houston.
Funeral arrangements were made by Brookside Funeral Home-Cypress Creek. www.brooksidefuneralhome-cypresscreek.com.
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