Russell E. Horn, P.E., Colonel Usar (Retired)

YORK-Russell E. Horn, Sr. P.E., passed away on December 4, 2013. Mr. Horn was 101 years old -- born in Yoe, PA May 4, 1912. He was the son of the late Eugene M. and Charlotte (Snyder) Horn. He was the Husband of Eleanor Baird Horn, who preceded him in death in 1999. He graduated from Red Lion High School in 1929. Russell E. Horn, Sr. received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University in 1933 and completed courses from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He was a licensed professional engineer in Pennsylvania and 19 other states. Mr. Horn served four years, 11 months in World War II as a Platoon, Company, and Battalion Commander. His overseas service was in North Africa and Italy during World War II. He rose from 1st Lieutenant to Lieutenant Colonel and received various medals and battle stars. He retired from the Army Reserves as a Colonel in 1963. A dynamic and devoted leader, Russell E. Horn's professional career began when he returned from World War II in 1945 and joined his boyhood friend, Clair S. Buchart, in founding the 5-man architectural/engineering firm of Buchart Engineering Corp. Over the years the firm grew to become Buchart Horn, Inc. /BASCO Associates. He also organized Print-O-Stat, Inc. an engineering supply and printing company in 1954. During his career of more than 6 decades, Mr. Horn had the opportunity to organize various companies and served as first President and Chairman of the Board of several of them. In 1970, in order to bring each company back under one operating force he organized PACE Resources, Inc. a parent holding company, which became a more than 570-employee operation with 32 locations throughout eastern and southeastern United States and Germany. Mr. Horn served as President, CEO and Chairman of the Board. The Pennsylvania State University honored Mr. Horn in 1990 as an Alumni Fellow. He was among only 26 graduates of the College of Engineering to win that recognition out of an alumni base of approximately 56,000 individuals since 1973, the inception of the Alumni Fellows program. In 1984, Mr. Horn became a member of the University's prominent Mount Nittany Society and in 1987 was named an Outstanding Engineering Alumnus by the College of Engineering. He is a charter member of the Board of the Penn State Civil and Environmental Engineering Society. Volumes could be written about Russell E. Horn, Sr., as a Churchman, Humanitarian, Civic Leader and Public Official. Just a few of his many civic contributions and achievements are as follows: He was Co-Founder of the Exchange Club of West York, Awarded “Golden Deeds” by the Exchange Club of West York 1979, Masonic “Order of the Double Eagle” 1983, “Legion of Freedom” by Masonic Scottish Rite 1986. He served as Chairman of the York County Chapter of the American Red Cross for five years and was a member of the Board of Directors of that organization for 20 years. He was Central Pennsylvania Division Chairman of the 1976 American National Red Cross Campaign for Members and Funds and was named Person of The Year by the American Society of Highway Engineers in 2006 and Engineer of the Year by the Central Pennsylvania Engineers Week Council 2009. He served on the Board of Trustees of the YMCA of York and York County, served more than 20 years on the fund-raising committees of the United Way of York County, and served in nearly every leadership office in Calvary United Methodist Church where he was also a Sunday school teacher for nearly 50 years. He served on and also served as president of the West York Borough Council, was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Red Lion American Legion, was a former Secretary of the 22nd District of the Pennsylvania American Legion, was a former Commissioner of Spring Garden Township. He served as President, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Member of the Executive Committee of White Rose AAA Motor Club of York. He was a member of the 70 Club Foundation of Evangelism, United Methodist Church, served on Board of Directors of the Auto Club of Southern Pennsylvania and served on the Board and as Treasurer of the United Methodist Homes and is Director Emeritus and served on Board of Trustees of the United Methodist Church. He continued to serve on the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania AAA Federation, was a member of the United Methodist Church Builders Club, served on Board of Directors of the Yorktown Senior Center. He was a life member – York Agricultural Society (promoting agency of York Fair), was a generous supporter of 4H and FFA Livestock Sales at America’s Oldest Fair, The York Fair, and was a member of Grantley Volunteer Fire Company and Ambulance Club. He was a member White Rose Lodge #706 F&AM, was a Mason (32 degree), a member of: York Forest #30 Tall Cedars of Lebanon of North America, York County Shrine Club, Zembo Shrine of Harrisburg, and Harrisburg Consistory. He was a life member of Red Lion American Legion, West York VFW, Reserve Officers Association, and York County Agricultural Society. He was a member of The 40 & 8, Leo Club of Red Lion High School, and was named York Distinguished Citizen for 2013 by New Birth of Freedom Council, Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Horn was the father of three sons, Russell E. Horn, Jr., Ralph E. Horn, Robert E. Horn who passed away in 1997, and a daughter, Rosalind (Horn) Kunkel. He also leaves 18 grandchildren, 39 great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren. Russell E. Horn was known for his generous support of organizations, charities and individuals. He and his wife Eleanor, founded the Russell and Eleanor Horn Foundation, which provided many thousands of dollars in charity to help hundreds of people and causes. In 2012 he presented a Leadership Gift of $1 million for construction of a student enrichment center at Penn State Harrisburg. Memorial contributions may be made to American Red Cross, 724 S. George Street, York, PA 17401 or Penn State York, 1031 Edgecomb Ave., York, PA 17403. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, December 9, 2013 at Calvary United Methodist Church, 11 N. Richland Ave. in York, with a visitation from noon-2 p.m. His pastor, The Reverend Dr. Michael O. Koplitz and the Reverend Roland E. Garvin will be officiating at the service. Burial will be private in Yoe Union Cemetery. Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Rd. in York is in charge of the arrangements.