In Memory of Jonathan Horsch…

November 6, 2005 was a somber day at the Outdoors for All Foundation as we learned of the passing of long time participant Jon Horsch. After a battle with cancer, Jon finally found peace elsewhere, but never will his smile, zest for life and contagious laugh be forgotten.

A participant in a variety of Outdoors for All programs including, day camps, weekend excursions, cycling and downhill skiing, Outdoors for All staff and volunteers recall their favorite memories of Jon:

I very much recall a canoe ride around the Slough I took with Jon and his friend Ray at day camp back in the summer of 2000.  Jon wanted to be the first canoe out in the water, didn’t like the canoe I had selected for us, and especially wasn’t sure of the stability of the canoe.  Since I helped get all the other boats out first, and then launched our canoe last, he wasn’t happy with me-and insisted that we catch up with the others.  Because he wasn’t sure of the stability, and thought we were going to tip over—he pretty much yelled at me every time the boat moved, which was rather comical.  If he wasn’t yelling at me, “Don’t tip us out” he was asking when we were stopping for lunch.  Once we got into our canoeing “routine” and he felt a little more secure in the canoe, he was able to enjoy seeing the turtles, birds, and fish that we passed in the Slough.  The best part of that day was when a blue heron flew within 5-6 feet of us.  Ray, in front of the canoe, ducked and exclaimed,” Whoa, that was a pterodactyl”   I’m making sure that the folks in the other canoes saw the heron, and Jon at this point is screaming at both Ray and me, “Hey,hey, hey…if you guys tip us over I’m going to……” 

This will be my favorite memory of Jon Horsch, every time I think of it, I smile. 

Program Director, Karen Chernotsky

Ode to Jon Horsch

by One of Jon's Outdoors for All ski instructors

I'll always remember Jon was eager to learn.

He was fun to ski with, you should see him turn. 

A friend to all, a smile that was steady.

He would joke and tease. You had to be ready.

He eagerly looked forward to the time to stop

So he could give my grandkids a snowball 'pop'!

It's not allowed but 'Try as I might'

At the end of each day, was snow ball fight.

We had to find a place far from Outdoors for All 

So they could be safe and still have a ball.

Around the corner and out of sight,

At the end of each class was Jon's delight.

It was important to see that beyond learning to ski

Jon was a kid at heart and loved to play free.

The giggles and laughter were beyond compare.

All was good, clean fun - almost anything fair.

Snow down their backs, and a face washed or two.

It really was just a fun thing to do.

Jon was happy and joyous and ready to live.

A greater gift, you could not give.

Linda Lewis, long time Outdoors for All Volunteer