Robert Louis Bornarth
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01 September 2022 Final curtain call for Robert Louis "Bob" Bornarth, beloved husband to Norma Sue Levine Bornarth, father to Bruce, Dan, Craig, and Stacey, and friend to just about everyone he met. Born 28 April 1930 in Chicago, Illinois, Bob relished any opportunity to share tales of his childhood adventures in the big city, from running the rooftops, to swimming in Lake Michigan, to ice skating in the backyard, and building a boat from the ground up with his father Charles, brothers Don and Chuck, and sister Katie. Graduated from Hyde Park High School and ever restless, Bob was on his way to explore the American West when he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. His time in the Army was a defining period and helped set the course for his life pursuits. Upon discharge from the Service, he returned to the Midwest and used the G.I. Bill to attend the University of Illinois, where he met the love of his life and became a certified flight instructor teaching flying between classes. In 1960, Bob and Norma with their first 2 children, Dan and Bruce, moved to Broad Run Farms in Loudoun County where he settled in to work at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, publishing a monthly column in Pilot magazine. Son Craig and daughter Stacey arrived in the early 60's. The years in the "Farms" were magic, and Bob was one of the chief magicians. Whether canoeing, swimming, or bathing in the Broad Run just because he could, Christmas caroling throughout the neighborhood, celebrating 4th of July with field games and fireworks over the pond behind Galilee United Methodist church, enjoying annual parties at Dr. Don Jewell's horse farm, partaking of spontaneous community extravaganzas, or performing in Ralph and Rosalie Moeser's Studio 8 productions, Bob was typically at the center of the joyful storm. It was during those days Bob found his true avocation. Already a gifted and creative artist from a long line of professional artists, Bob discovered community theater as an alternative outlet for his creative impulses. In fact, it wasn't long before this avocation became his profession, and he embarked on new pursuits across the DC metro area as a professional actor performing on stage, on television, in print ads and commercials, in training films, and movies. Actor, aviator, author, artist - Bob Bornarth was one of a kind. Preceded by and reunited with Norma, Craig, his parents, and all his siblings and cousins, he is succeeded by Bruce, Dan, Stacey, nine grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren! He will be cremated, followed by a wheels-up landing at Union Cemetery in Leesburg.