Robert A. Horton

Robert A. Horton, of Lemoyne, by way of New Cumberland, PA entered into eternal rest on November 17, 2020. He was eighty five years of age.

Robert was born at 620 4th Street New Cumberland on December 28th, 1934. He was delivered by his sister Carolyn, and was the son of the late Lawrence M. and Mary Snoke Horton. Robert graduated in 1954 from New Cumberland High School and loved all of his class mates.

Robert spent the majority of his career in Military Aviation. He began his career as a clerk typist and supply tech. He advanced, as a sergeant, to become a helicopter and fixed wing mechanic. He then found his long term dedication to aviation, over the next thirty years, as a rotary and fixed wing pilot, pilot instructor and test pilot. In his entire 39 year career in the Army and Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Bob became an “instructor’s instructor”; teaching other pilots to become instructors and test pilots.

Because of his multiple ratings, CW 4 Horton was dispatched on repeated cross country helicopter and fixed wing assignments to California, Texas and Kansas. These assignments required either delivering or accepting military assets. Acceptances required inspection and test fights of various helicopters and fixed wing military assets.

Both in his career and in retirement, Robert enjoyed golf, fellowship and reading western paperbacks. Bob (Horty) played golf at the West Shore Country Club. He scored 4 holes in one, all at the West Shore Country Club. He aced each of the Club’s par 3 holes. For decades, Bob traveled the east coast playing golf in the Carolinas and Florida.

Robert is survived by a brother, William Horton, in Ogden, Utah; brother in law Rodger Sieber (widower of his sister Barbara); sister, Dorthy Stahler in Altamont Springs, Florida and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by brother Larry Jr.; sisters Barbara, Margaret (Peggy), Mae and Carolyn.

Public graveside services with military honors will be held at 12:30 PM on Friday, November 27, at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, East Hanover Twp. A tribute to his life will be postponed due to the pandemic.

The family thanks the nursing and medical professionals at Messiah Lifeways in Mechanicsburg for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, Robert requested contributions to Baughman Methodist Church.

For more information or to send messages of condolence, please visit www.parthemore.com.