Reginald Horsman

Reginald Horsman, a distinguished scholar and beloved husband, father and professor, passed away peacefully in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on August 20th, 2025, at the age of 93. He was surrounded by his loved ones after a long and full life.

Reginald was born on October 24, 1931, in Leeds, Yorkshire, England. Shortly after his birth, his family relocated to Leicester, where he spent his childhood. He spoke fondly of that time in his life, often during the long after-dinner conversations with family and friends that he and those around him grew to love. He earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in American History from the University of Birmingham (1952 and 1955, respectively), before receiving his PhD in American History from Indiana University, Bloomington, in 1958. 

On September 3rd, 1955, Reginald married Lenore McNabb of Saginaw, Michigan. Their happy marriage and life-long friendship lasted over 67 years.

In 1958, Reginald moved to Milwaukee, where he began his tenure at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Over the decades, he became one of the university’s most respected historians, earning the title of Distinguished Professor of History in 1973. Admired by colleagues for his scholarly rigor and trusted as a reviewer of academic work, he was also a beloved professor whose lectures inspired generations of students. Even into his 90s, former students would stop his family on the street to share that he had been their favorite teacher. Though he retired from teaching in 1999, Reginald continued his passion for research, writing, and publishing well into his later years. 

Reginald’s career was marked by numerous accolades. He received the Kiekhofer Teaching Award (1961), a prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship (1965), and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Alumni Award for Teaching Excellence in 1995.

Throughout his career, Reginald authored 13 books and wrote countless articles, book reviews, and papers. His most influential work, Race and Manifest Destiny (1986) is widely regarded as a landmark in the study of American racial ideology. The book traced the origins of racial Anglo-Saxonism and its role in shaping 19th-century U.S. expansionist thought. Hailed at the time of its publication as “a work of monumental scope” that “permanently changed the accepted scholarly understanding of racial Anglo-Saxonism,” it remains in use in university classrooms today and continues to shape historical discourse on race and nationalism in America. Reginald was also a known authority on the War of 1812. His writing style was approachable and clear, allowing historians and the public alike to understand and enjoy his deep library of published works.

Despite his many accomplishments, Reginald approached life with a sense of humor and humility. He was often the first to laugh – taking joy in good humor and sharing that humor with others. Reginald and his wife Lenore shared a deep appreciation of classical music, Opera, the arts, and film. It was rare to find Reginald without a book in his hand, usually with either music or a soccer game playing in the background.

Above all, Reginald will be remembered for his unwavering love and devotion to his family, offering them unconditional support through every stage of life.  His fierce work ethic, his remarkable memory, wit, and sense of humor, and his admirable and vocal support for equality, fairness, and democratic principles were constants that shaped the lives of those around him.

Reginald is survived by his daughters Janine (Jeff) and Mara (Thomas); his son John (Marilynn) and six grandchildren: Allison, Ben (Alina), Erin (Doug), Landon, Henry, and Sam (Joann).  He also leaves behind four great-grandchildren: Aliya, Kai, Nash, and Sawyer; and two sisters, Sylvia Juba and Shelley Horsman. Reginald was preceded in death by his wife Lenore in 2023; his mother Elizabeth (Thompson) Horsman in 1947; his father William Alfred Horsman, in 1969; his brother, Kenneth Horsman, in 1972; and his stepmother Margaret (North) Horsman in 1983.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 6, from 10:30AM to 12:00PM, followed by the service at noon, and lunch reception at 1:00PM at Feerick Funeral Home, Shorewood, Wisconsin. Interment will then take place at Forest Home Cemetery on Monday, September 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed by clicking here.