At 6.am on the morning of September 21st, Bill Osterman awoke to the ringing of his phone. It was a call from his son to wish him “Happy BIrthday”and telling him to watch the local TV channel at 6.30 a.m. What a joy for Bill to hear himself being spoken about on TV and to hear that his name would be up there in big letters at the baseball stadium that evening. Bill was 102 to day and very much a Red’s baseball fan. From his early teens Bill was involved in sports of every kind but baseball was his passion and it still is. At 102, Bill retains his keen mind and sense of humor. He can recount most of the history of the past hundred years, especially in what relates to Cincinnati. “My faith means everything to me” Bill says “ever since my childhood. Every year on Good Friday I would go with my father on a Lenten pilgrimage to the Church in Mount Adams. We would climb up the steps, one hundred and thirty of them, praying the Rosary” He says “I hope God does not leave me too long although I do enjoy life as much as I can” Bill’s family seems to have the gift of longevity. Some years ago, his father came to our home at age 100 and lived with us for another two years. We hope Bill will enjoy many more of the Red’s games and continue to enjoy life at our home.
Happy Birthday Bill Osterman!