Robert William Horn, Jr.
Robert William Horn, Jr.
On April 12th, 2025, amidst a burst of morning Spring sunshine and blooms, Robert W. Horn, Jr., known as Bob and Bobby, age 78, completed his earthly journey at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland, WA. surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Aurora, Illinois to Robert W. and Gladys (Eggert) Horn. As part of an air force military family, Bob spent his elementary years at bases in South Carolina, Ohio, Kaiserslautern, Germany, and then his high school in Lake Charles, Louisiana. An excellent student and passionate member of the basketball team, Bob graduated in 1964 having earned recognition as, “Mr. Success.” Accepted at MIT Bob majored in economics but focused on computer science and information technology (IT) and worked in that field for next 37 years.
Although Bob had a penchant for mathematics and abstract problem solving, he was also a “people-person” who cultivated many meaningful friendships throughout his life. His friends and family valued his empathetic and emotionally expressive nature as well as his intelligence and keen insights. We could all count on Bob; whatever he turned his attention to, he did to the best of his ability. He was committed to the preservation of democracy and the value of good government and continually fostered progressive political dialog. An excellent writer, his political commentary was published from time to time in the Seattle Times.
Bob was a “magester ludi” – master of the game. He loved card games, initiated poker nights, excelled at backgammon, loved sports, particularly basketball, football and golf, and in his retirement he devoted himself to competitive duplicate bridge. He was within a few points of reaching his goal of Life Master.
Although a scientist at heart, Bob was well versed in American history and political science and found solace and inspiration through his love of all kinds of music, especially jazz.
Bob would say that his family was his greatest achievement. In 1971 he married Joanne Murphy and they formed their best partnership raising their two girls, Caitlin and Jonelle. Bob was a dedicated and involved father. Teaching his girls sports, driving, mathematics and a myriad of other life lessons and core values gave him the most joy of his life. He consistently modeled his counterculture values of inclusivity and non-materialism for his children.
Bob is survived by his wife, Joanne, of 54 years; his two children, Caitlin Sundin (Erik) and Jonelle Hepworth (Jeremy); his four beloved grandchildren, Lauren, Laila, Elise, and Kellan; and his sister Nancy Charters. He is predeceased by his mother, Gladys Eggert, and father, Robert W.
A Celebration of Life for Bob will be held in late September of this year.
In lieu of the flowers, the family kindly requests donations to any of the following organizations that align with Bob’s passionate values: Looking Out Foundation, Brennan Center for Justice, Common Power, Southern Poverty Law Center, Hands Off .
10 Responses to “Robert William Horn, Jr.”
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Our family were honored to be part of Bob and Joanne’s circle for many decades! I met him at a Sigma Chi party at MIT and greatly respected his humor, intelligence and passion. I loved playing ping pong with him—the harder games were beyond my pay grade. We loved being in the same babysitting co-op years ago and watching all the children grow in two generations! May he and the family find peace. Much love, the Jacksons
Bob Horn was one of the sweetest human beings I have ever known. I loved Bobby and will miss him dearly.
Tom Litwack
Bob will be missed and never forgotten.
A true gentleman, family man and kind and loving person who will surely be missed.
Seymour and Irene Levine
After the initial shock of reading this dreadful news,I find my eyes brimming with tears,as I mourn the loss of my 50 year friend…The Horndog.I have been privileged to share wonderful, brotherly moments with this man,and I feel no need to express any laudatory remarks about him in this forum,as we all are aware of how remarkable he was as a human being.His loud raucous laughter was enjoyed by even the most amateur jokesters,such as myself…and that’s how I will remember him best.My condolences to his beautiful “girls”, Joanne, Caitlin, and Jonellybelly.
Bob and I shared four years together at Sigma Chi at MIT. He was known to all we Sigs as that tall, good looking, funny fellow with that Louisiana charm all the ladies loved. A whiz at MIT level math, he tutored my befuddled brain through countless problem sets that helped rescue my GPA. Bob and I reconnected much later in life. We instantly agreed that the most important key to happiness in life had come from marrying the right lady. In that, we warmly congratulated each other’s success. We will all miss him.
Joanne and I were students at U-Michigan and I met Bobby when their lives joined in the late ’60s. They were both extraordinary people and I’ve kept in touch all these years. I cannot imagine Joanne without Bobby and I’m so grateful that she has their extended, amazing family to help her through this time of great loss and sadness.
Such a kind and generous man. He touched many lives and will be sorely missed. Peace and comfort to Joanne, the girls, and family.
I am very sorry to hear of Bob’s passing, and wish that we had been able to keep in touch over the many miles. Bob was a great friend to all of us at Alpha Theta Sigma Chi, and I had the joy of recruiting him to sell dictionaries for Southwestern Co. in Indiana (summer 1965) and Nebraska (summer 1966). Working 60+ hours a week and sharing dinners each evening gave us a lot of stories to share that were quite funny. My wife Joan and I wish his wife and family God’s peace and comfort in their sorrow at their loss.
Joan, Thank you for presenting Bob’s beautiful life story. He shared his core values by example. Thinking of you with deepest sympathy.