Orville Dalton (“O.D.”) Milburn, 81, of Sweet Home, Oregon passed away suddenly Tuesday, December 19.

O.D. was the devoted husband of Joan, loving father of Bob, Connie, Patrick and their spouses, Tram, Ned, and Susie, and doting grandfather of Rorie, Reilly, Allison, and Evan.

He was a bright light in our lives, and we will miss him until the day we are reunited.

O.D. was born on Sept. 2, 1936 in San Antonio, Texas and moved to Oregon at the age of seven. He resided in Sweet Home on the family farm for the rest of his life.

He was educated at the University of Oregon, and then Southern Oregon College in Ashland, where he met his future wife. He later worked as a contractor and built many houses, including his own, in the local area. Then, like the adventurous spirit he was, O.D. re-invented himself and worked for the City of Salem as a structural inspector and was responsible for the rehabilitation of many historic homes in Salem.

After his “retirement” from public service, he embarked on a new career as a piano craftsman, rebuilding and restoring grand pianos.

Later in his life, O.D. began pursuing a lifelong passion for guitars and, with his oldest son, became one of the most respected luthiers in the country. He invented many novel tools and fixtures and selflessly shared these inventions with the luthier community. Many noted musicians and fellow artisans will profoundly miss his talents.

O.D. was a lover of life, a trivia aficionado, midnight-snacker, master storyteller, artist, reader of pulp fiction, jokester, amateur historian, pilot, collector of speeding tickets, inventor, problem solver, animal lover, author, unapologetic carnivore, relentless pursuer of knowledge, stargazer, reformed smoker, mentor, genius handyman, classical guitar player, and friend to all who met him.

O.D. requested that there be no service. He was the kind of man who liked to come and go quietly. If you knew him and would like to honor his memory, please hug someone you love, do something creative, or extend a hand to someone in need. There would be no better way to remember this special man.

Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements.