David William Oskin Jr.

He was born in Tacoma, Washington to David W. Oskin and JoEllen Oskin, who currently reside in New Canaan, Connecticut. He graduated from DePauw University in Indiana with a Bachelor of Science degree, and earned a Master’s of Business Administration degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Mr. Oskin was an entrepreneur who founded and built Big Earth Publishing, a book and magazine publishing company based in Boulder, Colorado. Prior to founding Big Earth Publishing, he was Vice President of Marketing and Customer Services for Appleton Coated LLC in Combined Locks, Wisconsin. He began his career with Kimberly Clark Corporation in sales & marketing.

Mr. Oskin was a resident of Boulder, Colorado, and previously resided in Neenah, WI, Atlanta, GA, and Darien, CT. He was an avid sportsman who enjoyed many activities with his family and friends, including lacrosse, skiing, sailing, and fly fishing. Mr. Oskin was very active in community affairs and donated his time and talents to many organizations. He previously served as a member of the Board of Directors for Harbor House in Appleton, Wisconsin, and was actively involved in Junior Achievement of Wisconsin and other organizations that support reading and literacy initiatives. Mr. Oskin and his family demonstrated their commitment to developing global leadership through education by establishing The Oskin Leadership Institute at Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania. The mission of the Institute “is to perpetuate the University’s long standing tradition of leadership, values, and service by developing and educating students to be strategic leaders and responsible citizens who possess the character, courage, and competencies to effect positive change throughout the world.”

David Oskin will be forever missed by his beloved Rachel Zeman of Boulder, Colorado;, his daughters Ashley, 17, and Allison, 14, and their mother Debra Oskin of Neenah, Wisconsin,; and his loving parents, David and JoEllen Oskin of New Canaan, Connecticut. He also leaves behind Aunts and Uncles Katherine and John Bahr of North Versailles, Pennsylvania;, Judith and Kenneth Frye of Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania; and Robert and Mary Beth Ross of Pleasant Hills, Pennsylvania, along with many cousins. David was predeceased by his brother, Steven Ross Oskin.

Mr. Oskin will be laid to rest next to his brother Steven at Jefferson Memorial Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His viewing will be at Griffith Mortuary in Pittsburgh, PA on Friday, March 4, 2011, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Interment will be on Saturday, March 5, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. to be followed by a memorial service at Jefferson Hills Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. There will be a Celebration of Life for David in Boulder on April 1, 2011, details can be obtained by contacting [email protected]. All are welcome to attend both services in Pittsburgh and Boulder. Condolences may be sent to the attention of The Oskin Family at Griffith Mortuary, 5636 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15236-2912.

In remembrance of David, the family requests that donations be made in his name to The Oskin Leadership Institute at Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania; Boulder Community Hospital Foundation in Boulder, Colorado; or to Harbor House in Appleton, Wisconsin.