Bear (Robert) Hornady

A part of the Club fabric and character died this week when Bear Hornady succumb to cancer.  The Club will go on and add new character but it won't be quite the same. Bear was a rare combination of intellect and common sense, a scientist who was a dirt biker.  While Bear was only in the Club for 14 years he did more than some members in twice as long.  He served as Club vice president, participated in most Club workdays, would be one of the last to leave after a Rambler sponsored race, represented the Club at BLM RAC meetings, and could be counted on to bring a sense of logic to discussions at club meetings.

The Club was lucky to have Bear as a member but it was a mutual relationship. Some of his last words to the Club " Tell them I love them" kind of sums it all up.

Happy Trails on the other side!

From the Monterey Herald

Robert (Bear) S. Hornady
Robert (Bear) S. Hornady January 27, 1939 ~ August 21, 2008 PACIFIC GROVE – Robert (Bear) Hornady was in the middle of a lifetime of achievement and endeavor when he died on August 21, 2008, after a short illness. He was 69.    Bear was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on January 27, 1939, to Joyce W. and Marval A. Hornady. In his childhood, he demonstrated talents in science and engineering which extended to designing and building his own motorscooter and computer. Later he would patent an invention for breakaway motorcycle brake and shift levers.    His formal education included a diploma from Grand Island High School, Grand Island, Nebraska; a B.S. and an M.S. from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln; and a PhD. in Plasma Physics from the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland. His extraordinary intellectual curiosity and physical abilities enabled him to study new fields and pursue new goals his entire life.    The major positions of his professional career were at Lockheed Missiles & Space, Sunnyvale, California; Institut fur Physik at Ruhr Universitat, Bochum, Germany; and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (senior physicist), Livermore, California.    In 1963 Bear joined the U.S. Peace Corps with his wife, Barbara (Roo) and served as a teacher of physics and mathematics in Nigeria for two years.    Upon retirement, Bear and Roo moved to Pacific Grove where Bear joined the Salinas Ramblers Motorcycle Club (member and enduro rider), Pacific Grove Fire Dept. Ocean Rescue (diver), Pacific Grove Hyperbaric Chamber (operator, trainer and crew), Monterey Maritime Museum (volunteer), and sailed on tall ships (crew). His retirement employment was at California Dept. of Fish and Game (diver) and Monterey Dive Company (diver). A member of the Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club since 2006, he pursued his dream of sailing and racing in the Santana 22 fleet. At his request, his ashes will be scattered in Monterey Bay from his boat, "Tickle".    Bear is survived by his wife, Barbara (Roo) of Pacific Grove; his mother, Marval Hornady, his sister, Margaret Hornady-David and his brother, Stephen Hornady (all of Grand Island, Nebraska); his cousins, James Hunter and Marie Bryan, his nieces and nephews, their spouses and children, his godchildren and their families, and so many caring friends and fellow workers. Because he was a steadfast and giving friend and colleague, those who knew and worked with him mourn his loss as well.    His life will be commemorated by his family and friends at a later date. Donations may be made to a favorite charity or to the Pacific Grove Fire Dept. Hyperbaric Chamber or Pacific Grove Ocean Rescue, 600 Pine, Pacific Grove, CA 93950.

If anyone has pictures or comments to contribute, send them to Ed at srmc@salinasramblersmc.org