Horace Bishop Van Dorn III

Van Dorn, Horace Bishop, III Horace Bishop Van Dorn III, passed away on April 23 at his home in Kensington. He was 94. Van was born on November 21, 2010 in Auburndale, MA, raised in Maplewood, NJ and graduated from MIT in 1937 with a BS in General Engineering. He was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity. For 43 years he worked at Fafnir Bearing Division of Textron including Vice President of Engineering. His career included various engineering, sales and manufacturing positions: 1960-1980 as Officer in General Management International Division, customer and subsidiary relations: England, Germany, Japan and India. Research, Development and Sales Engineering Director. He held 21 US Patents and many foreign derivative patents. Van also served in the 1st Corps of Engineers Reserve and War Department Reserve, US Army 1937-1943. Van believed in the value of service to his institutions and local community. He served on M.I.T. Educational Council 1959-1970: University of CT Committee for the establishment of Material Science Center 1962-1965 and their advisory board for over 20 years. He served on the Berlin Board of Water Commissioners 1965-1975. Director: Mattabassett District 1958-2002. Director: ModConn Bank (now Webster) 1962-1985. Director: Prentice Corp Kensington, CT. Director: Paneloc Corp. Consultant American Research and Development/Textron 1981-1987. Trustee New Britain YMCA 1981-1985, Co Chaired United Way New Britain/Berlin fund drive for many years. A Corporator of New Britain General Hospital 38 years, Consultant for SCORE, Service Coprs of Retired Executives for 10 years; Councilor CCSU 1988-1993 (School of Business). Van loved to ski (on snow and water) and was among the founders of the New Britain Ski Club and a member of the National Ski Patrol maintaining his American Red Cross Advanced First Aid credentials for many years. He would "serve the slopes" every winter weekend possible. He also enjoyed a round or two of golf at Shuttle Meadow Country Club where he served as President and numerous committees throughout the years. He was an enthusiastic outdoorsman and taught all his family the joys of the great outdoors. He attended 1st Church of Christ, Congregational in New Britain and was a longtime member of the Roundtable. After retirement, his major delight was founding his beloved New Britain Industrial Museum where he served as the 1st President and continued to be involved until he could no longer get to downtown New Britain. Van was predeceased by his beloved wife of 59 years, Eleanor Jackson Van Dorn and his dear daughter, Susan Van Dorn Pease. He leaves his dear wife Clara Ellen (Gerould) Van Dorn; daughter Sally V. Johnson of Kensington; and son-in-law Carl A. Johnson; son Russell J. Van Dorn of Hawaii; his grandchildren, Philip C. Pease of Provincetown, MA, Paige P. Strobino of Kensington, Tonya P. Malloy and husband Todd of Wethersfield, Curtiss V. Hayden of Somerville, MA, Katherine Hayden of Kensington, Stephen A. Johnson and wife Vicky of North Conway, NH, Alexander C. Johnson of Berlin, Samantha H. Johnson of Berlin; and seven prized great-grnadchildren, Stephen, Taylor, Brook and Nikki Strobino, and Ethan, Spencer and Gavin Malloy; two brothers, Daniel K Van Dorn of New Hampshire and Walter G. Van Dorn of Boston. Funeral services will be held Tuesday 10:30 AM at 1st Church of Christ, Congregational, 830 Corbin Avenue, New Britain, CT 06052. Burial will be in West Lane Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Monday 5 to 8 PM at Carlson Funeral Home, 45 Franklin Square, New Britain. Donations may be made to the New Britain Industrial Museum, 185 Main Street, New Britain, CT 06051 or to the 1st Church of Christ, Congregational. The Carlson Funeral Home, New Britain is assisting the family with arrangements.