Kenneth L. Horstmyer's Obituary
Kenneth Leroy Horstmyer passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 in his home on Key Biscayne, Florida. He was born in Schenectady, New York, November 13, 1921 to Elizabeth May Buhrmaster Horstmyer and Albert William Horstmyer. Kenneth was married to Madeleine Mary Slaughter Horstmyer on April 14, 1950 at the Fairmount Hotel in San Francisco, California. The family enjoyed a 50th reunion at the Fairmount in 2000, just prior to her passing in November 2000. He was the father of two daughters, two sons and grandfather to two grandsons: Kendra H. Brennan, PhD and her spouse David Brennan, Dr. Jeffery L. Horstmyer, MD and his spouse Professor Tillie Fox, Linda C. Horstmyer and her spouse Luke Croghan, Andrew W. Horstmyer, Esq. and his two sons, Reid W. Horstmyer and Adison Horstmyer.
Kenneth served his country during WWII in the Asiatic-Pacific theater and received the WWII Victory Medal. Service interrupted his college education at Miami University in Oxford Ohio, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising after his return from overseas. Kenneth’s career as a corporate executive began with Campbell Soup Corporation of Camden New Jersey as National Advertising Manager. He was tapped to join the new product tasting committee when Campbell Soup learned of his astute palate. At his next job, with Union Carbide Corporation in New York City, he led the team that developed a new plastic film into GLAD WRAP, the first home food storage material, which spawned the plastic food storage bag industry. He next served as executive vice president for Quality Courts Motels in Daytona Beach, Florida. He returned to New York City as president of the frozen foods division of W.R. Grace & Co. He longed for warmer climates and secured a position as executive vice president for Burger King Corporation in Miami, Florida. He was tapped as president of three corporations Bonanza Steakhouses, in Dallas, Texas, Arthur Treachers Seafood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and retired after a stint at the helm of Photo Quick in Randolph, Massachusetts. After his very successful business career, Kenneth retired in 1981 and enjoyed an active retirement with the Coast Guard Auxiliary. He also served on the Board of Architecture & Interior Design at the pleasure of the Governor of Florida. In addition Kenneth and Madeleine enjoyed many years of world travel including Safari in Africa, Cruising the Mediterranean and Exploring Southeast Asian Islands.
Finally, Kenneth and Madeleine enjoyed all of their four-legged children from Miss Muffett the pug to Kristina the Rottweiler. Please consider donations to Gulfstream GUARDIAN ANGELS Rottweiler Rescue: http://www.ggarr.org/donations.html in lieu of flowers. Memorial Service will be held 2 pm Thursday, January 17, 2013 at St. Christopher’s by the Sea, 95 Harbor Drive, Key Biscayne, FL 33149.
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