By Patricia A. Scheyer
NKyTribune reporter
Long-time Florence Council member and veteran David A. Osborne died Friday, succumbing to illnesses that sapped his strength to fight.
David loved to be around people. He didn’t know a stranger. He was a council member from 1976 to 1989, and again from 1992 to 2025. He was just reelected to council and was released from the hospital to be sworn in. But he needed to go back.
David A. Osborne was born and raised in Florence. He is married to Pamela, and has two grown children, and two granddaughters.

His wife, Pam, is devastated by his loss. She and David would have been married 45 years in May. She related how he got out of the hospital on December 17, by special permission to be sworn in with all the other council members. The next day, she took him to the airport, where he worked mostly as a goodwill ambassador, shaking hands, talking to veterans, helping people find where they were going, and just being somebody nice to talk to.
“He worked for two hours, and when I picked him up, he cried,” she said, her voice full of
tears. “He said, Pam, that was the best medicine I could have had.”
David spent time in the Army and that underlined his patriotism. From then on he spent a lot of time giving veteran pins to every veteran he met, in appreciation for their service to the America they love. Just like he loved America.
David also loved life. He enjoyed being alive, breathing the air, watching the sun rise and set, seeing the seasons change. If he had been well, he would have enjoyed this snow.
“David loved having Eric (Hall, Director of Public Works) or one of the public works guys pick him up in their snow plows and he would ride with them for about an hour,” said Diane Whalen, former mayor, and now a fellow council member. “He loved knowing what was going on in the city, and chatting with the guys.”

Whalen said when her dad, ‘Hop’ Ewing was mayor of Florence from 1961 to 1981, David started his governmental service career in 1976, and he thought the world of ‘Hop’ Ewing.
“I imagine there is a joyous reunion going on up there,” Whalen said softly. “I was proud to be his friend for every day of 50 years.”
Their families were close, gathering at a restaurant every Thursday night for dinner. The group included council member Pat Wingo and her husband. It was a large congenial group, and they only stopped meeting because of COVID restrictions.
“Not even two months ago, David gave me an assignment, to get everybody back together again,” said Whalen.
David had a remarkable effect on people he met. To know him was to love him.
“Beyond his remarkable public service, David was a man of warmth, joy, and an unforgettable personality,” said Mayor Julie Aubuchon. “His smile could brighten any room, and his hearty laugh was impossible to ignore. He greeted everyone with open arms, a firm handshake, and genuine enthusiasm. I cannot recall a single memory of David where he wasn’t sharing a story, enjoying a laugh, or lifting the spirits of those around him. David felt deeply that he was an ambassador to all veterans who passed through our community. He personally greeted veterans, welcomed them, prayed with them, and always bestowed a small token of appreciation to them, such as a flag pin or challenge coin. These interactions were as rewarding for him as to every veteran he met.”
His fellow council members enjoyed whenever David was at the meetings. Council member Gary Winn would tease him whenever the Governor was supposed to show up at a city function, because David’s handshake was so firm, that Winn would tell him the Secret Service guys would try and have the Governor avoid David’s handshake to ward off a dislocated shoulder. David always laughed at that.

“David was one of a kind,” Winn stated. “He was a people person, he liked to be around people, and people liked to be around him. He loved Florence, and his family and friends. He enjoyed teasing, and was tickled when people teased him back. I am blessed to call him my friend. He was definitely one of a kind!”
Mel Carroll served on council with David and knew him for forty years.
“David could easily be known as Mr Florence,” Carroll said. “He has served the city for over forty years, and was an integral part of the process of the city growing from a small village
to a modern, suburban city. He was definitely a City Father, but more than that, he never met a
stranger. People would meet him, and they wouldn’t forget him. He will be sorely missed, by
the city, his family and his friends.”
Council member Pat Wingo and her late husband Tom were good friends with the Osbornes for 20 years.
“David was just a really good guy,” Wingo said. “He was like everybody’s favorite uncle – he was warm, caring and considerate. He was a person who was just so full of life!”
She said he didn’t like to sit still; he wanted to be active and involved, and always around people. She said he was always interested in what people had to say, and people were never strangers.
“David was more than a public servant—he was a patriot, a friend, a mentor, and a man whose influence will be felt for generations to come,” said Mayor Aubuchon. “The city of Florence, and all of us who had the privilege to know him are better for having shared this journey together. His legacy will live on in the hearts of those he touched and in the city he helped build.”
The silence is deafening in his absence.
But If a person were to listen carefully, they will still be able to hear David’s contagious
chuckle, and feel his hand on their shoulder, telling them one story or another that needed
telling, and making them feel that, as Diane Whalen said, ‘you were the most important person
in the world.’
The light has dimmed here in the world, yes, but that light is blazing in heaven, because David’s joy and love of life can’t be dimmed.
“They don’t build ‘em like David anymore,” Whalen said, fondly remembering her friend.
A wonderful article about an even more wonderful man! He will be greatly missed.
I knew David through his wife Pam. Such a beautiful person. He will be deeply missed. Rest in peace
He was a great man and a good friend, I surely miss him.
I had the pleasure of working with David at the Boone County Courthouse. He would stop by my office to say good morning and catch up first thing on days he worked. He was a special friend and will be truly missed!♥️
A truly great patriot/man. This is a great tribute to him and he deserves every word. Our blessed Lord will take care of him and he will wait for Pam. It was a pleasure knowing him and Pam for many years love them both God bless Marianne Horgan
David was one of a kind. He was a good friend to me and my family. David will be greatly missed. God bless Pam and his family at this tough time.
Truly one of a kind and how lucky I am to be blessed with knowing him.
He will be greatly missed and never forgotten❤️
David and I were neighbors for over 35 years. We had many conversations about many different things, his yard, my yard, the direction the city was going. He was a trusted friend and a very good man. I will truly miss him.
Just a really good, honest guy who loved his city. Always enjoyed working with when I had the chance or even just seeing him out and about. Always a smile and laugh to share. I’ve had the chance to work with a lot of elected officials, bit he was a public SERVANT – you’ll be missed councilman. ✌