Kent John Hornbostel

Birth date: Aug 9, 1959 Death date: Feb 9, 2018

Kent John Hornbostel, 58, was born in August of 1959, to parents Daniel Hornbostel and Sharlene Palmer Hornbostel in Omaha, Nebraska. He passed away on February 9, 2018, in Houston, Texas.Professor Hornbostel served for many years Read Obituary

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Pavel Nadolsky

394w ago

My colleague in the SMU group of theoretical physics, Kent was gentle and special. I regularly passed by his office (two doors away from mine), and we would occasionally chat about science, books, and tea. [For several years, he was the liaison with the SMU library and collected an excellent array of books on physics for the department and especially the graduate students. He shared passion for good-quality tea and for several years was ordering large batches for our coffee room.] Kent was an excellent director of our Ph. D. program. As such, he was not too loud and has always impressed me with his regularity and perseverance in running the grad school and giving the immediate attention to grad students as soon as they needed it. His model of kind, caring support to the students is really quite memorable.I was gradually learning from Kent about his interesting work in the area of lattice quantum chromodynamics, an approach based on computer simulations of quantum matter comprising protons and atomic nuclei. Overcoming the physical limitations, he attended the meetings of our research group, and we hoped to eventually write a physics article together. We appreciated his spirit and curiosity, and of course his expertise. I am sorry that I could not come to Kent’s memorial service because of an overlapping international trip. His soft and genial presence will be missed and remembered.

Heidi I. Irgens

394w ago

We met Emma first, two little blonde, blue-eyed two-year-olds spotted each other at the local park. Emma was with a sitter. Eventually she and Kent came to the park at the same time we did and we discovered that we lived on the same block, in houses owned by SMU. Emma and Sylvia became fast friends, and Kent and Gail a second set of parents. Like many before me, one of my early memories of Kent involves tea. Both Kent and Gail served the most wonderful herbal teas. One day I asked what brand(s) they bought; to my startled surprise, it was all the same teas I bought! I learned that brewing good tea was not the tea, but the technique, and this technique would vary depending on the type of tea. Thanks to Kent, I can now make a decent cup of tea.Kent was always interested in learning and helping others. I emailed him on January 20, 2018, asking him if he knew anything about removing wild blackberry vines. An hour and a half later I received a lengthy email filled with information, resources, and citations concerning the eradication of blackberry vines. I will miss his conversation, his humor, and his tea.

Dawn Curtis-Thames

394w ago

We kept looking at the wrong place: the bandage of place–
with apologies to Rumi–was not the hole the light came in–
All our prayers about the lung transplant rose like incense
to heaven, but we were praying up the wrong tree.
We were packing up the wrong stuff for your next move:
kitchen implements and camping equipment,
nestled into carefully-labelled boxes, with extra towels.
We kept saving up our PTO days and airline miles to
take the wrong trip with you.
We were counting the wrong stuff: calories, and weight
loss, and retirement funds.
Now we are left here: with our boxes and dense foods,
and teacups. We have your number in our phones.Thank God we have tea–plenty of tea and hot water.
This gives us a clue, because while drinking tea,
We seemed to be on the right path: talking about Emma,
planning for ways to support her future.
Never wrong were the moments spent laughing together
about some infamous prank.
Moments spent listening to you explain some newly-discovered
natural phenomenon never lose value.
Hours spent talking about how to encourage
learning, despite bureaucracy, just grow in relevance.
Couch time looking at art projects or your dad’s big sand painting
appreciates over time.We are looking at that box of Yorkshire Gold: it is precious in our eyes…

David Galletta

395w ago

I met Kent in 7th grade. It wasn’t the best meeting, honestly. He wasn’t very nice to me. A year later we became good friends and were inseparable for a number of years. I think it had something to do with us both becoming Christians at the same time. A good heart, great mind, but a very strange sense of humor. Sadly we lost touch over the years, but I remember him fondly and regret not keeping up with him. So sorry I cannot be at the service, being out of the country. Much love and sincerest condolences to Scott (and Margaret), Marc, and Mrs. Hornbostel. And, of course, Emma, whom I never met. Thinking of you all on Friday.

Lucy Mccauley

395w ago

Kent you are so missed on this earth! Your serious face belied the ever-present humor lurking beneath. We could always count on you for wry, hilarious observations and commentary, as well as for your deep wisdom and ever-present kindness. Your love for Emma was without bounds for more than 15 years of her life, and it helped shape her into the lovely young woman she is today. Rest in peace, my friend.

Terpsichore Barnett

395w ago

I had the good luck of getting to spend time hanging out with Kent for a number of years, mostly before Emma was born (I moved out of state not that long after). He was always welcoming, eager to spend time, jovial, funny, and in love with spirited conversation. Kent was also quite playful, for example with his and Gail’s cat Malcolm. Kent loved to engage Malcolm in leaping five feet up on a wall chasing a laser pointer. He and Gail hosted me for many lovely dinners. At one of those dinners I recall Kent being fearful because he was first having symptoms and hadn’t been diagnosed. Many months later Kent had a significant reprieve in his health. I was so happy at that news that I told him I loved him and hugged him. We were grinning. I said, I’m sorry, I have to hug you again. He received that with gracious joy. It’s been far too long since I got to see him, but I will always remember him with great fondness. I am deeply sad that chance will never come again. And I am pained beyond words for those who are dear to me who have lost him. Sending love to each of you.

April Lombardi

396w ago

I was so sorry to hear of Kent’s passing…?? I remember him walking to my house in Brentwood when we were young, just to hang out when he had free time…Many times we would gather as a group and grew very close in church and at the Brentwood adult Home. I remember him playing chess with one of the adults at the Adult Home. Such a nice and bright guy… I also remember him talking about the “black hole” in space. I always thought that was interesting and it seemed to be his specialty… Haven’t been in touch these later years, but so remember him well… May he Rest In Peace…and joy… My condolences to His family,.. to Scott especially, since they are very close, …so very hard to lose a sibling, …and to his beloved daughter ??. May God the Holy Spirit and the Lord Jesus, comfort you all… ??????????

Scott Hornbostel

396w ago

I think my last words to Kent were that it was an honor to have walked this road with him. Many of us have been touched by Kent along the way. Please feel free to share any thoughts that you may have.

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