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: , Brennan Center for Justice, Common Power, Southern Poverty Law Center, Hands Off .
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