With thanks to his daughter, Belinda Horn, for the words below: 

"Our father, Robert Horn (Bob), has died aged 86 following 10 years of living with leukaemia. Born in St Austell, Cornwall he grew up in North Somerset with his mother, close to his immediate and extended family who played a significant role in his early years. As a child he enjoyed fishing in the local rivers and was an avid reader of both fact and fiction. We always joked that he had read the dictionary when he was young, if he had, it paid dividends as he gained a full scholarship to Sidcot, attending from 1950 -1957. Bob thoroughly enjoyed his time at the school. He was academically astute and a keen sportsman playing both rugby and cricket for the first XV and 11 respectively. His love of literature included drama, a natural entertainer he could hold an audience and was often cast in leading roles for the school productions. More recently he belonged to ‘The Pranksters’ an amateur dramatic society based in Guildford. The name of the society was entirely appropriate for Bob who often indulged in said ‘pranks’ during his time at Sidcot. We think one involved a teacher’s car but we’re not telling.

"On leaving Sidcot he completed his National Service before taking a job at the Quaker insurance company, Friends’ Provident in Dorking. This is where he spent much of his working life specialising in pension schemes eventually taking on consultancy roles at Crown Life and other financial institutions. As with many of his activities, paid or otherwise, Bob was held in high esteem by his colleagues and acquaintances. His political and social conscience saw him take on different roles within the trade unions associated with his profession and, regardless of his senior positions at work, he continued to support and champion those in need. This extended to his charitable donations to Water Aid through which he sponsored schools and individuals across the globe. 

"In 1960, Bob married Anthea Davey (another old scholar) and they had four daughters. Having moved to Guildford he continued to play rugby and cricket for local clubs well into his forties before hanging up his boots in favour of a less physically demanding sport and one that didn’t involve broken ribs, golf. On retiring he moved with his second wife Jane to Shamley Green and, despite his atheism, edited the parish magazine for the local church which we all thought hilarious! He continued to act and direct as a member of the Pranksters and found this to be an emotional support following Jane’s death from cancer in 2005. Having developed type 2 diabetes in later life our father lost a lower leg, but this didn’t hold him back and he continued to travel to New Orleans for the jazz, organise events at Elmbridge Village (his final home) and enjoy bridge with friends. Bob also maintained his links to his roots in North Somerset through his family and his role on the committee of the Hewish, Puxton & Wick St Lawrence Harvest Home. He was a regular at Taunton cricket ground to watch his beloved Somerset in the county championships and enjoyed a day out to see them play Middlesex at Lord's for his 85th birthday. As children, we loved coming to the Easter Weekends at Sidcot. Bob continued to attend these events whenever possible and was involved with the Old Scholars Association until his death on 2nd October 2025. 

"Often direct in his manner, Bob didn’t 'suffer fools gladly’ but he had a warmth and intelligence that encouraged life long friendships; his address book and Christmas card list is testament to this. We believe he is remembered with affection and as someone with huge integrity by those who met him both professionally and socially. Bob is survived by us, his daughters Sara, Belinda, Tess and Rebecca as well as 10 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and his first wife Anthea."

For those interested in attending, Bob's funeral will be held on 31st October 2025 at 10:30 in the Guildford Crematorium, New Pond Road, Godalming, GU7 3DB, followed by a wake at Guildford Rugby Club, Broadwater Sports Club, Guildford Road, Godalming, GU7 3DH. Should you wish to attend, please let us know in the alumni office (alumni@sidcot.org.uk) and we will notify the family. Many thanks.