Robert Carl Horbus

Horbus, Robert Carl "Bob", 87, Batavia, Illinois. On February 13, 2026, Bob passed peacefully into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at his Batavia home, surrounded by family. Bob was the oldest of four children of George A. and Margaret Helen Grothmann Horbus. He was born in Oak Park, Cook County, Illinois, on August 20, 1938. He attended Arlington Heights High School, then joined the US Navy in September of 1955, where he served in the Pacific Theater on Guam as a Fireman, keeping watch over Naval Ordnance. He sustained serious injuries while on duty when his truck slid and overturned; after his recovery he continued to serve until his honorable discharge on October 31, 1958. His interest in electronics led him to complete a training program in Communications from DeVry Technical Institute, from which he graduated in March of 1959. With that electronics background, in 1970 he joined the National Accelerator Laboratory (soon branded as Fermilab); he spent the last 32 years of his career at Fermilab as an electrical/electronics technician, supporting the creation and maintenance of various laboratory equipment used in the experiments of scientists and engineers who were studying particle physics. He retired from Fermilab in 2002.

He came to his Christian faith in his mid-30s; it quickly became a central part of his adult years, as anyone who knew Bob could attest to. He was a faithful member of several churches over the next 50+ years, including most recently at Faith Baptist/Grace Redeemer Church of Winfield, IL. He was a member and supporter of Ken Ham's Answers in Genesis, the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter, and Midwest Creation Fellowship.

The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. CST (with viewing from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. and a reception to follow the service) at Grace Redeemer Church, 27W010 Parkway Dr, Winfield, IL 60190. The service will be livestreamed through this link: Funeral Service for Robert Horbus. Burial will be in The Garden of Faith at River Hills Memorial Park in Batavia with military honors on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. (Please meet at the cemetery entrance.)

He was preceded in death by his parents, and by a brother who died in childhood, George Jr.

Surviving are his widow of 50 years, Marilyn Jean (nee Hurlock) Horbus; two daughters: Deb (Rich) Fields of Longwood, FL, and Diana Rogers of Eagan, MN; two grandchildren: Nick (Mickey) Rogers and Hannah Turner; two step-daughters: Susan Bergeson and Joann (George) Collins; five step-grandchildren: Alyssa Bergeson (Cansel Uzun), Spencer Collins and Tucker Collins, Hillary Fields (Alex Parleto) and Allison Fields; a sister: Susan L. (Ray) Lofthouse of Florida, and a brother: Guy G. (Debbie) Horbus of Florida. Bob is also survived and remembered by a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and notable devoted friends, family and neighbors. The family is extremely grateful to the various caregivers who have provided support to Bob over the past several years.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Samaritan's Purse.