Robert Wesley Horne, 90, died peacefully on Sunday, May 8, at Pine Point Center in his beloved State of Maine.
Bobby was born in Somerville, MA on January 8, 1932. He was the son of Frank William Horne, Sr and Sadie (Roberts) and lived his childhood years at 6 Reservoir Street in Winchester. Bobby was predeceased by his elder brother, Frank (Bill) William Horne Jr. who died as a result of injury while serving his country in Germany during WWII. Bobby graduated from Winchester High School in 1949, and Boston University in 1953. He then earned a Master’s in Education at Tufts University. While at BU he was a coxswain for the BU Rowing Team.
He began his career as an English Teacher at Thayer Academy in Braintree. He then taught at Concord-Carlisle High School in Concord for 30 years. In the classroom, Bobby was that teacher who brought the learning to life with his quick wit and a syllabus that included life stories, as well as subscriptions to the Christian Science Monitor, The Boston Globe, and the New York Times. Bobby saw his role as teacher to be a supporter and champion of students, never demeaning, always eager to hear the stories of their lives. While at CCHS he helped start the Cross-country Ski Club, the school radio and school newspaper, and his enthusiasm and innate gift for tennis made him a devoted Tennis Coach.
Always a competitive player, Bobby was a familiar figure at the Town of Winchester Public Tennis Courts. On his day off from being a summer counselor at Camp Chewonki in Wiscasset, ME, he played tennis on Squirrel Island, ME and that day was offered the job of Tennis Pro on the summer colony. He was the island’s first tennis pro. It was during this time on Squirrel that Bobby bought the beloved “Parson’s Cottage” which is now the Horne Family Cottage.
Bobby demonstrated his great love of theater, music, and writing in a multitude of venues—acting with the Concord Players and the Winchester Unitarian Players, singing with the Handel and Haydn Society in Boston, and writing enough stories and poetry that he self-published two books Solo Folio and I’m the Luckiest Guy: The Puckerbrush Poet of Boothbay Harbor, ME.
In retirement, athletics remained a big part of Bobby’s life. In the 80’s he took up cycling, riding for over ten consecutive years in the epic RAGBRAI, the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. In addition, he rode throughout California, Montana, and Maine with his biking buddies.
Later in life, Bobby moved from Massachusetts to Maine. First to “the puckerbrush farm” in Wiscasset and then to live on the water at the Carousel Apartments in Boothbay Harbor. Bobby loved living in Maine. He loved the seasons and people in the three seasons that are not summer. Whether on his moped or in his jaunty, red Fiat, Bobby was well known throughout both towns. He joyfully participated in the annual New Year’s Eve Day Penguin Plunge, he wrote spirited letters to the Boothbay Register, took hundreds of sunset photos and expounded on the beauty and the perfection that is the state of Maine to many friends and travelers alike.
Bobby’s biggest love and his true joy was always saved for his family. Bobby was very proud of his three children, his grandchildren, and great grandchildren. They were always perfect: smart, accomplished and could do no wrong. He took an active role as coach, spectator, driver and supporter of all of their activities. He loved children, swimming in the ocean, and all dogs.
Bobby is survived by his ex-wife, Prudence Goodrich (Morton) Horne; daughter, Sarah Horne and her husband, Alan Wilken of Stockbridge, MA; his son, Robert and his wife Nancy (McCormick) of Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA; his daughter, Prudence of San Diego, CA; and his grandchildren Meredith and Mathew Amann; Hannah and Harrison Wilken; great grandchildren Clayton and Cali Amann.
A celebration of his life will be held at the Winchester Unitarian Society, 478 Main Street, Winchester, on Sunday, May 22 at 2:00p. A reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Oxfam, www.oxfamamerica.org. Go to mainefuneralhome.com for online condolences.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton, www.mainefuneral.com