Philip Ardine Horne

1917 - 2016

Philip Ardine Horne 1917-2016 Philip Ardine Horne, of San Rafael, CA died at Nazareth House San Rafael, August 7, 2016 after a brief illness. His cherished family had gathered in the days prior to his death and he was surrounded by them in his last days. He was 99 years old. Philip is survived by his sister Thea Carpenter of Forest Lake, MN; his children, Stephen Horne of Santa Barbara, CA, Thomas Horne of Novato, CA, and Jonathan Horne of Palo Alto, CA; his seven grandchildren; and his four great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Doris (Smith) Horne of Campbell, CA, his second wife, Evelyn (Jones) Horne of Palo Alto, CA, his son, Daniel Horne of Honolulu, HW; his grandson, Abraham Horne of Santa Barbara, CA; his brother Robert Horne of Mora, MN and his parents Samson Mathias and Margaret (Pederson) Horne of Mora, MN. Philip was born on June 27, 1917, on the family farm near Mora, MN to Mathias Horne of Vevring Parish, FØrde Fjord, Norway and Margaret Horne of Hanley Falls, MN. Philip attended Riverside School, a one room schoolhouse, Mora High School, and Augsburg College, graduating with a degree in biology in 1940. In 1941, he became a Naval aviator. During WWII, he was a seaplane pilot attached to the USS New Orleans, witnessed the Battle of Midway and the Battle of the Coral Sea, and flew patrol and bombing missions in New Caledonia, Midway, Tarawa and other Pacific Islands. He was the navigator of the USS Bataan during the Korean War then later flew "typhoon hunter" missions from Guam. By the time of his death, Philip was one of just a few remaining WWII Navy combat pilots and veterans of the Battle of Midway. Following his retirement from the U.S. Navy, Philip earned a California teaching credential, and briefly taught biology before embarking on a long second career as a medical photographer at Stanford University Medical School. Philip married Doris Smith in 1943 in Modesto and together they raised four sons, teaching them the values of compassion, hard work, integrity, and generosity while taking them to Alaska, Florida, California, Guam, Hawaii, Japan, Georgia, and New Jersey. After his sons were grown, he and Doris traveled several times to Europe, particularly Norway where they reestablished contact with family members. Doris passed away in 1986. Philip later married Evelyn Jones and together they spent many years traveling, hosting family, and enjoying worship and activities at Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto, CA. Philip devoted many years to faithful and patient caretaking of both his wives through their long illnesses, a memorable and tangible expression of his faith. Philip's surviving children, their spouses and his grandchildren remember him as an intelligent, quietly encouraging, kind, and thoughtful man who was committed to his family and who lived his life in close alignment with his faith. A memorial service is scheduled at 2 PM on Saturday, September 3, at Nazareth House. Rev. Marshall White will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Phil's life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Nazareth House, 245 Nova Albion Way, San Rafael, CA 94903.