By Nicole Hamilton
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SYCAMORE TOWNSHIP - Edwin J. Ossenbeck II was a family man.

On Father's Day, in 1969, he graduated alongside his daughter Martha Smith of Gatlinburg, Tenn., when the two earned bachelor's degrees (his second) from the University of Cincinnati.

"He wanted to put his family first," said his daughter Linda Stern of Blue Ash.

"Everything he did, he did with the family in mind."

Mr. Ossenbeck died Thursday at Hospice of Cincinnati in Blue Ash. The long-time Sycamore Township resident was 82.

A prominent Realtor, he began working as a sales manager for his cousin's firm, Al Huge Real Estate, in 1953.

He earned his estate broker license in 1964 and formed Ossenbeck Realtors, located in Clifton. Later, in the 1980s, he incorporated his company with Century 21, and changed the name to Gold Post Realty Inc.

Mr. Ossenbeck was also a licensed appraiser and rehabilitated many properties in the Clifton/Corryville area.

Raised in Corryville, Mr. Ossenbeck graduated from Roger Bacon High School in 1938 and continued his education at the University of Cincinnati.

He entered the Army Air Corps to serve in World War II, around 1943, where he was stationed in the South Pacific.

Honorably discharged in 1946, he returned to Cincinnati and resumed his studies at UC, earning a bachelor's degree in business administration in 1947.

Mr. Ossenbeck was past president of the Cincinnati Board of Realtors, and taught real estate courses at several area colleges.

Past chairman of the Multiple Listing Service, he was former president of the Clifton Kiwanis Club, past president of Queen City Stamp Club, and past president of the Mount Notre Dame High School Parents Club.

A member of the American Society of Appraisers, he was a fee appraiser for the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Mr. Ossenbeck was a world traveler who, with his wife, visited more than 80 countries.

Always interested in physical fitness, he participated in the Senior Olympics and won medals for his accomplishments.

His wife of 48 years, Marian Ossenbeck died in 1995; a son, Edwin J. Ossenbeck III, also preceded him in death.

Besides his daughters, other survivors include a son, Thomas Ossenbeck., of San Francisco; a brother, Robert H. Ossenbeck of Amberley Village, and four grandchildren.

Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. today at Gilligan Funeral Home, 8225 Montgomery Rd., Kenwood.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10 a.m. Monday at St. Saviour Church, 4118 Myrtle Ave., Rossmoyne, 45236.

Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, St. Bernard.

Memorials: Hospice of Cincinnati, P.O. Box 633597, Cincinnati, 45263-3597, or St. Saviour Church, 4118 Myrtle Ave., Rossmoyne, 45236.

E-mail nhamilton@enquirer.com