I received very sad news today that Don Ostrand (Seattle, WA) has passed away following a lengthy and complicated surgery to remove a tumor.
Don was the Curator at the Herbert H Warrick, Jr. Museum of Communications in Seattle, WA.
I got to know Don by virtue of holding the annual Northwest Phone Collectors show in Seattle. Each year a virtually "required" activity was to take the tour of the museum after the phone show. Don was always there and gave us very personalized tours. He knew a lot about the equipment and the history of telecommunications not only in the Northwest, but the whole country. Dave Dintenfass of the museum notified me today of Don's passing and said that everyone at the museum will really miss him. I know that to be true.
That is all the information I have at this point. Believe me, the Seattle phone show will not be the same without Don.
Our deepest sympathy to Don's family and all that knew him. Found a photo on-line. This one is from 1999.
Also this link to the museum:
http://museumofcommunications.org/
This second link I believe is from the same museum:
http://simplethinking.com/photo/phone/vintage/
Sad. He was a very warm and friendly fellow, easy to talk to.
I was hoping it wasn't bad news when I saw the title of this topic. That is not the case however. What a shame. May his legacy live on forever.
Rest in Peace Don.
Terry