posted 03-02-2024 05:24 PM               

American Space Museum and National Space Society to Honor Robert 'Ozzy' Osband

'Father of 3-2-1- Area Code' to be remembered on March 21, 2024

The late Robert "Ozzy" Osband, self-proclaimed "Rocket Hobo" and "Father of the 3-2-1 Area Code" will be honored at a celebration in Downtown Titusville on, appropriately, March 21, 2024. Co-Organized by the American Space Museum and the National Space Society, the celebration of Ozzy's life and impact as an influencer in many organizations is "go for launch."

The celebration of Ozzy's life will begin with an informal gathering of friends at 3:21 pm, Thursday March 21st, at Space View Park in Titusville, where Ozzy's lawn chair and famous green polo shirt will be placed for final respects. At 4pm ASM plans to broadcast, live via YouTube, a special episode in Ozzy's honor, of the "Stay Curious Podcast" from Space View Park. Docents from the Museums of Brevard will have the remaining "Rocket Hobo" cloth patches available for donations made payable to the American Space Museum and US Space Walk Hall of Fame.

Once mourners have paid their respects at Space View Park, (where Ozzy sold his "Rocket Hobo" patches and touched thousands of people with launch updates, countdowns, and the occasional, "SCRUB!") they are invited to follow Museum Docents to the Titusville Welcome Center, where at 5pm Mayor Dan Diesel will read a proclamation in honor of Titusville's most iconic character and inaugurate the best block party in the galaxy, Florida's Space Coast, homegrown holiday 3-2-1 Day "Tomorrow launches here!"

There will be food trucks and adult beverages for sale as well as exhibitors representing many of the causes Ozzy volunteered available. There will be a performance by Interstellar Groove Machine, a local Space Coast band composed of aerospace employees. Background on the origin of the 3-2-1 area code: In 1998, Orlando was overloading the Space Coast "407" telephone area code. Ozzy researched that "321" was available, and single-handedly campaigned a year through the proper government hurdles to install "321" on the Space Coast and give Orlando "407."

On Nov. 1, 1999, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush placed the first official "321" phone call from Tallahassee to Kennedy Space Center, with Ozzy sitting beside the deputy director receiving the call.

"We are excited to honor our wonderful friend Ozzy in this celebration," said Karan Conklin, ASM executive director. "We are happy the National Space Society has helped our museum create a community event to honor Ozzy's legacy on our Space Coast. "People like Robert Osband carry the torch for the Space Age in the community and help inspire all generations to explore outer space," said Gabriel Rothblatt, a Director of the National Space Society and Space Coast resident. "This is a special celebration for an extraordinary man, and we welcome the community to join us."

Ozzy Osband died Aug. 6, 2023 of natural causes at age 72. He was born in New York, and lived much of his life in the Titusville area. Ozzy had his own computer software company, and was well known in the ham radio community (N4SCY). A 20-year volunteer for the ASM, he was webmaster for the 20-plus Museums of Brevard and active in the Democratic Party. As an Army veteran, he was interred at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, Florida.

Also partners in this special celebration of Ozzy's life is Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce. With the chamber's support, it is hoped to create an annual "3-2-1 Day" that will honor the space community as well as kick off the Spring Equinox and tourism in the region.