Our Rotarian of the Week was born in the Yale New Haven hospital and grew up in Cheshire, Connecticut. Her father was an electrical engineer who worked on some of the early space shots. She graduated from Cheshire High School in a class of 227. Her first job was lifeguarding and swimming instruction for $.75/hour at age 17.
She went to college at Wittenburg University, Springfield, Ohio. She met her husband Harry (Butch) at her sorority, where Butch was a house boy. He worked serving the young ladies while getting free meals. Lucie Osborn and Butch clicked over dinner, they graduated in 1971 and married that summer. They stayed in Springfield where Butch worked for the police department and Lucie eventually landed at the local library in 1972 as a reference assistant. She found her passion and earned two master’s degrees, one in library science.
She came to Cheyenne seeking the job as assistant library director. She was hired in 1979 and they moved here and stayed until 1987. Butch’s job took them to Massachusetts, but she missed the open spaces of Wyoming.
In 1990 the Laramie County Library Director’s job opened, and Lucie applied, eager to return here. She was hired and embarked on a remarkable career. She threw all her energy, passion, and patience into directing the construction of a new library. It took 12 years, countless meetings, and the consideration of 15 possible locations, before the project was placed on the sixth penny ballot. The vote was successful, so she became the overseer of the design, engineering, and construction of the state of the art 103,000 square foot building. It replaced a 38,000 sq. ft. facility. The building opened in 2007 and has won numerous awards for its design and operations. Lucie is quick to credit the community, library staff and board as well as a talented, committed group of professionals who brought the dream to fruition.
Lucie was sponsored into Rotary by Bob Shriner in 1994. She formed strong connections within the Club and in broader Rotary, becoming President of the Club from 2012 – 2013. She and Butch hosted youth exchange students and she became very involved in RYLA, which she continues to serve. One of her memorable connections occurred via Rotary due to an announcement from Rotarian Jerry Haenisch who was looking for housing for a young man from Lebanon who was coming to Cheyenne to study. She and Butch jumped at the chance to host Michel and they became family. She and Butch made four trips to that lovely but troubled country. During her Presidential year she, along with other club members, worked to successfully to establish the After-Hours Club.
Lucie retired in 2015 and Butch a couple years later. She stays very busy traveling, volunteering at Davis Hospice, serving on the Board of the Cheyenne Symphony, being a member of Blue Stockings, and as an active Rotarian. She has taken up mah-jongg, quilting, painting, and studying art history. She and Butch love to cook and are always trying new recipes. She reports that she was honored to have been the Club President.
Please join me in recognizing Lucie Osborn as our Rotarian of the Week.
.png)
