Rossiter: Remembering Schodack Superintendent Robert Horan
When I first met Mr.Horan it was at a Maple Hill varsity basketball game. Back then he was the principal, and I couldn’t have been more than 5 or 6 years old. All I can remember from that day was his welcoming presence, something I would come to know and appreciate even more as I grew.
In my 6th grade year at Maple Hill Middle School, he became Superintendent of schools. From day 1 you could tell he was different, walking the halls daily and going out of his way to interact with every student he came across. That’s where Mr.Horan really stood out. Some superintendents barely even see all the students in their district, yet he made it a point to take the time to know each and every single one of us. It didn’t matter if you were the troublemaker or the teacher’s pet. He took a genuine interest in all of his students, no matter the circumstance. He genuinely cared, it was more than a job for him.
It’s this love for his students that motivated Mr. Horan to constantly push for more and more opportunities for them. A pioneer, Horan opened the door for outsiders to come into his schools. By putting businesses in unused district space, he was able to give students real world opportunities with startups like MICROrganic.
Bob, you gave us a home when we needed it; proud to be one of the stories you played a part in. Our thoughts are with the many who miss you.
— MICROrganic (@MICROrganic) July 5, 2016
A former technology teacher, Mr. Horan clearly valued tech in the classroom and beyond. Over the years he was instrumental in putting a Schodack education into the 21st century. Through his support, distance learning broadened course offerings that our district and others might not otherwise be able to provide, such as Chinese, accounting, and sign language.
His most recent endeavor, “The Capital Project” is set to teleport the educational experience of many, with virtually a brand new state of the art combined middle and high school to open somewhere around the 2018 school year.
He often told students at graduation, “it’s ok to make mistakes, the important thing is that you learn from them.” Although he is no longer with us in person, the lessons he instilled and values he exemplified will forever live on.
Bob Horan was amazing human being ,always happy and willing to help in many ways.
I will never forget how he help me with last minute details to open Ania Hair Studio.
We are still in schlock that he is gone.Bob will leave a huge void.My goddaughter was one of his students ,now
Working in Boston.I now he had huge impact on her future .
Our deepest sympathy to the Horan family
I am way too old, even way older than Bob, to ever have been privileged to have been one of his students. Yet, he taught me. What he taught me (actually, reinforced what I already knew) was the importance of life, family, love and joy, along with respect for all people. I knew him and his family through our love of music (well, karaoke) and Bob and Margie introduced me to their children and extended family, who have been and continue to be so gracious to me. Though I knew Bob for just a short time, I cherish his memory, mourn his passing, and celebrate the life he led and the fact that I was able to be a small part of it. He knew me as the Amazing Steve. I knew him as the Incredible Bob Horan. And for that I am forever blessed.
Horan was remembered as a loving husband, father generous educator who always put his students first.