Robert Sterling Hornbeck, Sr.

Robert Sterling Hornbeck Sr., 88, a resident of Raleigh, North Carolina for the past 4 years, previously a resident of Hyde Park, New York, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2017, at WakeMed Hospital surrounded by his loving family.  Born in Poughkeepsie on May 24, 1929, to the late Maude and Robert Hornbeck.  On August 26, 1950, he married his high school sweetheart and companion, Vestie Frost, who predeceased him in August 2008.  They were married for 58 wonderful years.

Bob attended Roosevelt High School, played football and served in the United States Marine Corp in the South Pacific with the 1st Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battle Management in Guam.   He loved sports and played semi-pro football with the Beacon Bears.  Bob was also an amateur boxer who appeared on the same program with the great Sugar Ray Robinson. In 1952, he turned professional, but later stepped out of the ring when he decided that his family came first.

Bob was a commercial shad fisherman for over 50 years; loved to play golf and had a hole-in-one.  Bob worked for the Hood milk industry for 27 years, retiring in 1995. Through many of his later years in Hyde Park, he worked for Molloy’s Pharmacy.

Bob is survived by his son Robert Hornbeck Jr and wife, Debora of Holiday, Florida; daughter Debra Hornbeck-Smith and husband, Robert of Raleigh, North Carolina; son Richard Hornbeck and wife, Margaret of Lilburn, Georgia; daughter Patti Jo Renaud of Hyde Park, New York; 5 grandchildren: Jason Hornbeck and wife, Linda; Robert Hornbeck and Jennifer Pahl; James Hornbeck and wife, Amanda; Stephanie Martinez and husband, Michael; Rebecca Wilson and husband, James; and 3 great grandchildren: Ariel Hornbeck, Alissa Hornbeck and Jackson Robert Hornbeck.

 A private memorial will be held at a later time.  Professional services entrusted to Unity Funeral Services of Fayetteville.

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