Robert S. Hornbeck

Bobby attended Saunders High School where he graduated in 1987. Bobby attended Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry where he graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. Bobby began his career at Ciba-Geigy in 1987 as a Treasure Analyst finishing up in 1997 where his journey continued to Mormac Marine Group under the same title until April 2000 handling all aspects of corporate financial structures. His next step was to Noble Americas Corp as a Treasury Manager until December 2001, reporting directly to the CFO/Treasurer & President. While with Noble, he maintained relations with banks and institutions both domestic and foreign with regards to daily cash flow liquidity, letters of credit, short term borrowing and overnight investments.

This is about the time Bobby decided to make his passion of bringing smiles and love to those he cared about by adhoc-ly decorating parties with Balloons for friends into a passion for his dream – his own business: Bobby’s Balloon Works. From a successful store front in Dobbs Ferry to a home-based business Bobby provided décor to the 10’s to many families home parties, corporate events through the tristate area and his own home town of the City of Yonkers. Bobby’s Balloon Works focused on simple to extravagant balloon centerpieces massive arches etc. and handmade artistic centerpieces. Bobby’s customer base included social, corporate, political, schools, colleges, religious, hospitals, charities (fundraisers) and entertainment media.

Bobby is survived by his sister Kim Marie Hornbeck and brother Todd (Alice) Hornbeck and his niece and nephew, Corinne and Todd.

In time, when safe for all of us, there will be a Celebration of Life for Bobby. Until then, his urn is in his sisters loving hands. She welcomes any contact.

-------from S. Cardillo

Was around 2004, I was bartending in White Plains. This quiet shy guy came in by himself on occasion, would order a beer, stand against the wall and keep to himself. I decided to start a conversation that would turn into a 16 year friendship. That guy, was Bobby, who I nicknamed “Balloons”. Bobby was a good hearted, innocent, trusting and pure soul. A few years older than me, I took him in as my “little brother”. Bobby being so nice, too nice – I was very protective over him. Bobby was a family man, loving, always worried and supportive. Hard working and made sure everybody was taken care of including his cats he loved so much.

As far as work, Bobby was so creative and talented and also enjoyed gatherings. He was at every family function, he loved concerts and TV shows – horror mostly, Star Wars and of course Wrestling – that was his passion. Bobby showed up for everything. “He was late every time” but he showed up.

Bobby was everybody’s brother and the world will not be the same without him. I wish I could yell at him one more time to stop blowing up my answering machine.

We lost a true pure soul, and my heart will forever be broken and will miss you everyday of my life. Rest in peace my little brother. Every time I see a stray balloon – I’ll know it’s you.

Every Life that Bobby touched knew how special he was, and words can not describe that.

------- from J. Barone

So, I have been asked by Bobby’s sister to tell about his love for wrestling to all. As I sit here putting thoughts together on my great friend, I will write of my experience with Bobby and our passion for wrestling.

I first met Bobby some 30 years ago at work when we worked for Ciba-Geigy (that is an old name for some). I think Bobby and I came together with our love for wrestling about 1996 in just a passing conversation, he would tell me of all the times he would go to the Garden or County Center with his dad for a WWF show and I was like “so did I”.

Isn’t it funny how we were probably at many of the same shows?

Our first live show together was 1997 Survivor series and from that time on Bobby was my wrestling show buddy. We would travel all over to see a show, some places we have gone have been Washington D.C., Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and even a dingy basement in the Bronx. We would wait in line for hours in snow, rain and sun – it didn’t matter to us. We once did a full weekend of shows that took us from Bethany, CT to Madison Square Garden in less then 24 hours on no sleep.

We would act like kids when meeting our favorite performers and having a picture taken with them and getting an autograph. One thing we loved was independent shows as that was our passion seeing the stars of tomorrow in the beginning.

We both have albums full of autographed 8x10 photos (some with us in them that were taken at a show before) of current WWE, AEW, Impact Stars before they became famous.

One thing that always made Bobby happy was how at times when we would go to a show in different areas or for a different promotion some of the wrestlers would remember us, it was a great feeling. Bobby even became friends with some and communicated with them on a personal level.

My fun was always watching him at a show, a great move or a heel-turn would make him act like a child with joy and surprise. His reaction was priceless and to him it was real and took him away from reality of life going on for even those few hours. He was in the past few years trying to get into the business and I give him credit as he took a chance and distributed his resume out to those he felt could help him.

Our last show together was January 2020, Northeast Wrestling Show, where we had fun as always and for a few hours we were with our wrestling family and the outside world did not matter. We did have plans and we were both very excited to see AEW in our area, Bobby even bought tickets but Covid canceled it.

I promise you my friend I will attend an AEW show in the future in your honor. I miss my wrestling buddy very much…In your honor Bobby, I give you a 10 bell Salute.