Robert Bruce Horwitz

(Saxophone Bob) (Doctor Bob)

May 5, 1952 - February 14, 2026

Robert Bruce Horwitz, 73, passed away on February 14, 2026, with his four
remaining children and several lifelong friends nearby. He was a loving father, brother,
grandfather and friend to many, leaving a lasting impression of kindness and laughter to all
who knew him.

He is survived by four of his children: Jesse Samuel, Zachary Andrew, Maribeth
Estelle and Mackenzie Joseph, for all of whom he had unwavering love and support. He was preceded in death by his son, Benjamin David, and his former wife and mother of his children, Cathleen Duvall Joy.

He was a proud loving grandfather to his grandchildren, Violet Sky & Kevin Owen. No birthday
or Christmas ever went by without a card with a gift inside, no matter how tight things might
have been. He is also survived by his brother David Horwitz and nephew Adam.

His jubilant sense of humor and loving soul touched all he met and grew to know.
His musical gift, that he shared in every corner of Alaska, was only outweighed by his
kindness and generous spirit. His boisterous personality and thoughtful words of wisdom
were remembered by any who met him.

Bob, the oldest of three, was born in Brooklyn, New York at the Brooklyn Jewish
Hospital. He started his endless journey of playing the Saxophone in the marching band at Maryland High School. Shortly after graduating in 1970 his adventurous spirit took ahold of him. He would hitchhike back and forth visiting his father, Alvin Horwitz in California, before returning to the East Coast to visit his mother, Irma Bellish (Axelrod). His love of the great
outdoors drew him to many national parks along the way.

Several years later he was drawn north to Alaska, with the intention of finding a
deeper spiritual relationship. His intent was to climb the highest mountain he could find and meditate until something touched him. Along the way he was picked up by a couple of men who were headed to the Gospel Outreach Commune in Anchorage. They saved him on
the way, and his next great journey began.

He met and soon married Cathleen Joy in Anchorage, and before long had three
young boys, Benjamin, Jesse and Zach. He made the decision to become a chiropractor, and they drove down the Alcan to Palmer College of Chiropractic, in Davenport, Iowa.
Around the time he graduated they had a daughter, Maribeth. The family made their way to
Washington state, before one more joined the party, Mack. He worked at a clinic in
Washington before the call up north took him once again to Alaska. He continued his
career as a Chiropractor for many years before eventually retiring. He still maintained his
license and adjusted many friends and family for years to come, even trading adjustments
for work on his instruments when needed.

He played on the worship team for many years, and his name was synonymous with
saxophone in the gospel music community. One Friday night he decided to go try an open
jam at Blues Central and really made a splash, where he became a regular. He made many
friends through music, playing the sax, clarinet or even the penny whistle at blue grass or
Celtic jams. He forgot how to read music decades ago, but could sit in with anyone,
anywhere and fit in flawlessly. He could play late Saturday night, in a smokey blues club
and still be at church Sunday morning blowing that same horn. The variety of folks whose
lives he touched tells the story of such a diverse and loving man, who never judged anyone
and gave everyone a chance.

Bob had a magnetic personality and never missed a chance to tell a joke and make someone smile. Whether it was a child who needed cheering up, a friend calling for
fellowship, or just a stranger that he felt like cracking wise to, he always had a joke or some
wisdom to share. He spent his whole life sharing his gift of music and his gift of gab, never
once showing any signs of grief or lamentation at any of life's hard times he worked
through, and there we many.

Besides playing in music halls and church services, he also enjoyed playing for those
who really needed their day to be brightened. He performed regularly at the Rescue
Mission, the hospitals and even the local prisons. In addition to raising his 5 children
himself, he wound up as a father figure to his children's many friends over the years, some
of which really needed some guidance after taking a few wrong turns. One thing was
certain; he liked a good underdog story