Robert Lee Horton

away peacefully on a beautiful spring day, March 14, 2020 at his home in Bettendorf, IA, after

battling courageously with esophageal cancer. His birth and death is not nearly as relevant as

the days and nights that he lived life to the fullest between those dates. Per his wishes,

cremation rites have been accorded. Weerts Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

The only child of Kenneth Leroy and Mary (Guy) Horton, Bob was loved and adored. He grew

up in the Logan Elementary School area during the Great Depression, along with his

neighborhood friends. Bob graduated from Moline High School and Black Hawk College.

At a very young age, “Bobby” loved building models. Any allowance he earned went straight to

buying model kits, a love that lasted a lifetime up until his death. He even had his parents ship

them overseas so he could assemble and give them to Korean children during the war.

Bob met the love of his life, Elaine Wolfe on a blind date and they both loved attending dances

and roller-skating at local venues. Elaine (‘Laine) proclaimed the day she met Bob, she was

going to marry him!

Bob proudly served our country in the United States Army, during the Korean Conflict writing

love letters to ‘Laine while he was gone. Upon returning from the war, they were united in

marriage in Davenport, IA on March 6, 1954.

He worked for John Deere Harvester, MidAmerican Energy and Alcoa joining their Electrician

Apprentice program and retiring after 34-years service as an Electrical Foreman.

Bob and Elaine raised their 3 children in the same neighborhood Bob grew up in, and they

followed his footsteps graduating from Moline High School and attending Black Hawk College.

The Horton family enjoyed vacations by car travelling across the United States to numerous air

and space museums, historical sites, hobby shops and a beach if we were lucky!

A lifelong learner, Bob was always reading to learn new things. He loved history and was

especially proud when he bought the family a brand new Encyclopedia set! Bob was a member

of both Riverside (Moline) and St. John’s (Davenport) United Methodist Churches. He was a

Master Mason, belonging to the Moline Consistory and Doric Lodge 1014, held the Grand Cross

of Color in the International Organization of Rainbow for Girls. He coached girls softball, built

pinewood derby cars, engineered paper mache volcanoes for school science projects and

supported his children in all their events. He was also the best Rainbow and Demolay Dad ever.

Bob belonged to Moline American Legion, IPMS (Int’l Plastic Modelers Society), Killifish Society,

Ham Radio Club, Model Railroaders Club and volunteered countless hours at the Arsenal

Museum after retirement. He assisted the City of Prophetstown IL and the Illinois National

Guard on artillery restoration projects. Bob loved the Michael Jordan era Chicago Bulls,

Chicago Cubs, QC Thunder, QC Mallards/Storm.

Bob and Elaine enjoyed volunteering and were recruited more times than not by their daughters.

They assisted with the Quad City Arts Festival of Trees Gift Shop, volunteered at The Center/St.

John’s UMC, and served on the Finance and History committees of both churches.They

especially enjoyed their Sunday School class and Wednesday evening Bible study at St. John’s.

Bob was quite the story-teller and he loved nature, enjoying his daily trips to the Lock and Damn

to watch the Eagles, the marine-life, boaters and fishermen. He always looked forward to a road

trip day and marveled at the new I-74 bridge being built. He was lucky enough to see 2 bridges

built in his lifetime across the Mississippi River!

Left behind to continue his legacy are his girls: Lynn (Chris) Warner, Bettendorf, IA and Naomi

(Brian) Copeland, Sarasota, FL. His grandchildren were his proudest achievements: (all Petty

Officers currently serving in the United States Navy), ATO1 (AW) Blair Warner; MT2 (SS) Nicholas

Copeland; AO3 (AW) Andrew (Lexi Smith) Copeland, and great-grandchildren: Raiden Cole,

Easton Robert and Thayne James “TJ”. Also surviving are his numerous Alcoa friends, his

Church Friends and his Breakfast Friends from Duck Creek Pancake House.

Bob was well-loved and loved-well and will be missed by many because of his kind (and

sometimes stubborn) personality. He brought smiles to many lives and many people brought

smiles to him. Memorials may be made to The Center/St. John’s United Methodist Church in

Davenport or Honor Flight of the Quad Cities.

Bob is finally reunited with his parents, his wife Elaine and his son, Eric Lee and several good

lifelong friends.

Lynn and Naomi are very appreciative of the many medical professionals who have helped

tremendously easing Bob’s difficult journey: Dr. Andrew Edwards, Dr. Stewart Garneau,

Genesis Visiting Nurses and Genesis Home Hospice.

In the midst of the COVID-19 virus, visitation and a joint memorial service for Bob and Elaine

Horton will be held at a future date at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Davenport IA.

Inurnment will follow at National Cemetery on the Rock Island Arsenal.

"Perhaps they are not stars in the sky, but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to

let us know they are happy." -Eskimo Proverb