"To the Hornbogen Family Thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time as you mourn the passing of your beloved Daniel and celebrate his life. May he rest in peace. Jane and Phil Milkie"
In loving memory of
DANIEL POWELL HORNBOGEN, JR.
April 8, 1927 - December 20, 2017
Daniel Powell Hornbogen, Jr., 90, passed away Wednesday, December 20, surrounded by his wife and children at his home.
Born on April 8, 1927 to Dr. Daniel Powell Hornbogen, Sr. and Katherine (Barnes) Hornbogen, Dan led an eclectic life. A life-long car enthusiast, he bought his first Model-T with the earnings from his Saturday Evening Post delivery route at the age of 13. Dan referred to himself as a Broker of Surface Transportation- he bought and sold Studebakers, Edsels, Packards and International Harvester Scouts as well as used cars of every make and model. He was the Chrysler Plymouth dealer during the heyday of the muscle cars like Roadrunners, GTXs, Superbirds, and the Barracuda, one of which, a 1971 purple convertible with side pipes, still graces his garage.
Dan was avid downhill skier and part of the original group who created Cliffs Ridge, now Marquette Mountain. He took up marathon running, cross-country skiing and trail building. From his home overlooking Partridge Bay at Middle Island Point in Marquette, he taught himself how to cross-country ski. In 1995, after skiing the ice shelves of Lake Superior, camping on the Mulligan Plains in -20 degree weather, and learning to work with sled dogs, he joined the North Pole Expedition. At the age of 69, Dan skied with the Expedition from Resolute Bay, Canada to the North Pole over the course of three weeks as the teams navigator and one of the dog handlers.
He loved working in the woods and was the driving force behind many of the marked hiking trails around Sugar Loaf and Hog Back Mountains. At Middle Island Point, Dan blazed and cleared hiking and cross-country ski trails through the diverse terrain including Partridge Island.
At different points in his life, Dan was a member of the Elks, the Economic Club, Rotary and North Country Trails. He sat on the Marquette County Conservation District and the Marquette Regional History Center boards. His favorite was the Middle Island Point Campers Association board where he served as president for 25 years and was an active member until his death.
In 1953, Dan married Jacquelyn Fritz and they had five children: Susan, Diana, Daniel III, Fritz and Peter.
Dan and Mary (Parent) LeTrent were married in 1983 and he added a stepdaughter, Chauntel, to his family.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Hornbogen; daughters, Susan (Kurt Simandl) Hornbogen, Diana Hornbogen, Chauntel (Paul) Tiziani; sons, Fritz (Teresa) Hornbogen and Peter (Cathi) Hornbogen, and his sister, Sally (Michael Carlisle) Peterson. Son, Daniel Powell III walked on in 1998.
Also included in his tribe as he called them are his grandchildren: Danielle Simandl, Erik (Megan) Hornbogen, Kate (Mike) Young, and Max Hornbogen, Kathryn Hornbogen, Charles, Alexandra, Kitt and Caitlyn Hornbogen, Alexis, Dylan and Jackson Mahler.
In spite of the hardships and heartaches that occurred in his life, Dan showed us how to persevere with love and humor.
A celebration of Dans life will take place on Saturday, December 30th from 1 4 p.m. in the Canale-Tonella Funeral Home in Marquette where there will be food, fellowship and sharing of memories.
Memorials can be made to the Marquette Regional History Center, 142 W. Spring St., Marquette, MI 49855, the Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St., Marquette, MI 49855, Lake Superior Hospice, 914 W. Baraga Ave., Marquette, MI 49855 or to a charity of the donors choice.
Dans obituary can also be viewed at canalefuneral.com where relatives and friends may leave a note of remembrance. Obituary photo credit by Tom Buchkoe.
Tributes
"To all the Hornbogens....We echo the sentiments expressed here and no doubt by many at his service this past Saturday. Dan was the elder statesman of Middle Island Point - and an example for all of us about the importance of caring for this special place and for all of the Upper Peninsula. He lived life to the fullest - and know that he was at peace with all of your love and support at the end. Ingrid Sponberg Stafford on behalf of the Sponbergs at #10 MIP"
"To all the Hornbogens I extend my sincerest sympathy for each of you. Dan was definitely an Icon at MIP. We have lost another wonderful human being. For many of the children of which I was one, who hung out and played both in town and MIP with his children, how could you not know Dan. He was a fantastic dad, friend, helper, and his children loved him so much. He made a point of being in their lives. Always loved seeing and hearing his blue wooden boat with the Mercury motor pass by enjoying the evening or the beautiful days with friends. Always had a purpose and a project. He certainly kept MIP trails in shape, a quick friendly visit on the road when passing by at camp. A man that made his life interesting, always learning, sharing his trips,enjoying life and worked hard to get there. I just want you all to know how much I liked you father, and how much I have always enjoyed your family. My early memories are all very good. Thank you for that."
"Dan Hornbogen was the epitome of a true gentleman. A great Dad, and grandfather. Before his beloved son Daniel Powell Hornbogen Jr.,s untimely death, many fun years were spent @ Middle Island Point with Dan jr. &my daughter Patricia & the love of his life, Mary. We remained "family" friends" until his passing. So many great memories of D an & Mary. We shared our love for the great lake. Going back many years Dan jr. & senior tried with no luck to teach me to water ski along with my sons Mike & Jim Wagner. Sharing the past with Dan & Mary will not soon be forgotten. Daniel Powell Was Middle Island Point and worked so hard to make trails & austere as it remains today. He raised a great family and will be missed by his children & too many others to count. His love for adventure was remarkable....the love for Mary & family will not soon be forgotten. Stay strong Mary. Dan would not have it any other way. Love, Lois Wagner-Meeves"
"Extending to your family this heartfelt assurance of deep sympathy. With our condolences, the Marquette Area Public Schools Board of Education and Employees. "
"Dan Hornbogen was a true gentleman. About the highest compliment any man can get. Our prayers are with all of you. John Coyne"
"Dear Mary, Sue, Di, Pete, Fritz and families: I will always cherish my memories of our families having such good times growing up and your Dad was a huge part those memories. He was always warm and friendly with a gentle smile and a small piece of sage advice that you didnt know you had received until a moment later when you had parted ways. It was always good advice. He had a deep appreciation of life, family, friends and enjoying the moment. I celebrate a life well lived by Dan and find comfort in my wonderful memories of him, even as recent as a few weeks ago. I hope you will too. Love, Polly "
"I only knew Dan for a short time: Five years. We became good friends and I will surely miss him as my journey continues. I can't believe how much I enjoyed his company, insight and general knowledge on diverse subjects and interests. He was quite a man. RIP Steve Andriacchi"
"I had the pleasure of working for Dan at the dealership in the mid-70's. A truly eccentric wise man who loved his family and enjoyed his life.; a wonderful long life that I know will be missed by his children. He leaves a legacy pure goodness that we all learned from. Job well done Dan, RIP! Rick Eckhout"
"Sorry to hear Danny passed away, My thoughts & prayers to the family "
"I have known Dan for about 50 years. I always admired the rigours training and sacrifices he made to prepare for his attempt to walk to the North pole.' Dan was a good guy honest and friendly."
"So sorry for your loss Pete. Thinking of you, Cathi and your family. Heidi and Dan Ladd"
"I will miss seeing him on his walks on the railroad tracks at MIP....what a pleasure!!"