David Osler (January 9, 1921 – September 8, 2014) was an architect from Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Early life and education
David W. Osler was born on January 9, 1921, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.[1] He had one sister, Priscilla.[1] He attended University High School (which matriculated its final students in 1968),[2] where he met his eventual wife, Connie Lorch, the daughter of Emil Lorch, who was founder and dean of the U-M's School of Architecture from 1906 until 1939.[1][3]
He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1942, after studying design and illustration.[1] He played on the golf team.[1]
After college, Osler enlisted in the Navy and served on the USS Thomas Jefferson. He commanded 5 landing craft, transporting troops of the 116th regiment, 29th division during the first wave of the assault on Omaha Beach.[1]
Career
The Michigan Theatre (in Ann Arbor), pictured in 2009. Osler was involved in its restoration.
After returning from the war, he decided to pursue a career in architecture. He first worked for architect Douglas Loree,[4] then founded David W. Osler Associates in 1958.[1][5]
Though he started out designing residential architecture, he became best known for his large commercial, institutional, municipal, and condominium projects.[4] He described his style as "elegant conservative,"[4] and said he was aiming for "[s]implicity, cohesiveness, and a practical interpretation of emotions between the natural setting and the structure."[6]
Osler also received an honorable mention in the finals for designing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.[4][1]
Later life
In 1996 Osler was awarded the Michigan Gold Medal, the highest honor of the American Institute of Architects.[1]
From December 20, 2013, to March 31, 2014, the University of Michigan Museum of Art displayed many of Osler's drawings in an exhibition called Three Michigan Architects: Part 1–David Osler.[7][1] It was curated by Joseph Rosa, director of UMMA at the time, and Nancy Bartlett from the U-M Bentley Historical Library, where his papers are archived.[8][9]
He retired in 2008,[3][9] and died peacefully in 2014, at his home in Ann Arbor.[1]