Saturday, September 27, 2003

By Andrew Druckenbrod, Post-Gazette Classical Music Critic

In his 45-year tenure with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Oswald F. DePaul performed compositions by such extravagantly named composers as Ludwig van Beethoven and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

But everyone knew Mr. DePaul, a violinist, simply as Ozzie.

"I don't think anyone called him Oswald; he was more of an Ozzie," said his daughter, Deborah DePaul Skeens.

Even the official musicians' union registry listed him by that name.

Mr. DePaul died Thursday evening at Mercy Hospital of congestive heart failure due to complications from a kidney ailment. He was 78.

His nickname stemmed from his easy-going manner, recalled his wife, Martha DePaul.

"People always remarked how great it was to talk to him," she said. "He was a wonderful conversationalist."

Born Nov. 19, 1924, in Greensburg, Mr. DePaul began playing violin at age 8.

"A traveling salesman stopped by his house to teach either a guitar or the violin," said his daughter. "At the end of the year, he got to keep whichever instrument he chose. Dad chose the violin."

Mr. DePaul's parents originally were opposed to his musical aspirations, but the violin may have saved his life. Drafted into the army at 18 during World War II, he was about to be sent overseas when his performance in a Camp Gordon orchestra led to a reassignment playing music to promote the sale of war bonds on the East Coast.

In 1946, he auditioned for the PSO. Music director Fritz Reiner picked him out of 200 applicants. From there, he became a stalwart member of the group.

"He was an excellent player," said longtime PSO colleague and violinist Albert Hirtz. "He was part of the first violinist section 90 percent of the time. He was always highly thought of."

Besides his wife and daughter, Mr. DePaul is survived by a son, Richard DePaul, and a brother, John DePaul.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow at Beinhauer Mortuary, 2630 W. Liberty Ave., Beechview. Funeral services, also at Beinhauer, are scheduled at 11 a.m. Monday.

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