Dr. Ronald S. Horning, 88, beloved husband and father, passed away on May 25 surrounded by family after a brief battle with cancer. He was a longtime resident of Lincoln Park. Loving husband of Karen Ann for 53 years, brother to Robert Douglas of Arizona, and proud father of Jennifer Elise and Scott Andrew. He was born in Palmerston, Ontario, Canada on August 31, 1932 to Doris and Frank Horning. Ron grew up in Palmerston, which was a railroad hub with a roundhouse. Many members of his family worked for the railroad. Upon graduating from high school, Ron went to the University of Toronto’s Ontario Veterinary College (now the University of Guelph) where he received his DVM in 1955. He did his internship in Indiana, then worked his first veterinary position in Indianapolis. He then moved to Chicago, where he served as the head veterinarian of the newly-created Anti-Cruelty Society. In 1963 he established the Near North Animal Hospital at 1018 N. Clark St., later relocating to Wells and Division. He was a devoted vet for over 50 years and loved helping animals and their owners and was known for his lighthearted bedside manner.
Ron was also an active leader in community, social and professional activities. He was a member of service club Kiwanis for over 60 years and served as president of the Kiwanis Club of Chicago in 1967 after holding several other offices. In 1970 he was elected president of the Canadian Club of Chicago and in 1975 he served as president of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, a group of over 300 members. A naturalized U.S. citizen from 1970 onwards, Ron always remained proud of his Canadian heritage and often traveled back to Ontario to visit with family and friends. He was a member of Fourth Presbyterian Church for 53 years and the Chicago chapter of the University of Guelph Alumni Association. Ron was a big Chicago sports fan, especially of the Cubs, and enjoyed skiing, traveling, and regular annual trips to Telluride, Colorado and Naples, Florida. He also greatly enjoyed his second home in Union Pier, Michigan.
A memorial service/celebration of life will be held on Friday, June 11, 2021, at Fourth Presbyterian Church. In-person attendance is limited by Covid restrictions. Consult Cooney Funeral Home website for details.
In lieu of flowers, the family would gratefully welcome donations to two of Ron’s favorite causes, the Kiwanis Club of Lakeview in Chicago and Impact Behavioral Health of Evanston (www.impactbehavioral.org) For contributions to Kiwanis, please mail checks to Karen Horning made out to “Kiwanis Club of Lake View”.