Date of Death: February 16, 2026
Service Details
His family will receive friends Thursday, February 19, 2026 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Hohner Funeral Home, 1004 Arnold St., Three Rivers. A funeral service will be held Friday, February 20, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers/Centreville, 320 N. Main St., Three Rivers, with Rev. Clint Cozier officiating. He will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery.
Obituary Notice
Albert William “Bucky” Horsmon Jr., 71, of Three Rivers, went to be with his Lord, Jesus, on Monday, February 16, 2026 at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born September 27, 1954 in Manor, PA, the son of Albert W. and Vivian (Lauffer) Horsmon Sr.
Bucky earned his bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and then a double master’s degree in naval architecture and mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan.
While attending the University of Michigan, he made a special connection with classmate Christine “Chris” Vogel. The pair married in 1984 and built a life together.
As an active-duty member of the Coast Guard, Bucky served as an engineer on the icebreaker, USCGC Westwind, clearing ice around Greenland and the Great Lakes. He retired as a Lieutenant Commander. As a naval architect, Bucky designed internal structures for composite yachts, working with boat builders all over the world through his business, Horsmon & Associates. He mentored countless marine engineers. His work involved traveling to China, Japan, Australia, Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East and India.
He was a member and a Fellow of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, and a member of the Alumni Association of his Coast Guard Academy class.
Bucky was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers/Centreville where he sang in the choir and served as a trustee.
Sweet, smart, capable, caring, and full of integrity, he always found satisfaction in doing a good deed. He enjoyed spending time and supporting his children and all their activities. He participated in many adventures as a Boy Scout leader for his son Nik and at horse shows across the country with his daughter Hannah. Bucky was an avid do-it-yourselfer. He prided himself on the many projects he and Chris accomplished, including building their own home, barns, and garages.
Bucky was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather who loved his family so much. He was also a beloved friend who could make you feel at ease from the moment you met him.
Remaining to cherish his memory are his wife, Christine Horsmon; son, Nicholas “Nik” (Rachel) Horsmon; daughter, Hannah (Rylee) Rice; grandchildren, Eleanor Horsmon, Harrison Rice, and Barrett Rice; sister, Diana Trout; many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by a sister, Kimberly Horsmon.
Additional Information
Donations in Bucky’s name may be directed to First Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers/Centreville for the Benevolence Fund or to the Battleship Texas Foundation (battleshiptexas.org). Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and at the church.
Please Leave Your Condolences
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I met Bucky when our sons were friends in high school. He was always a smiling face in the community. Peace to all the family in this journey of grief
I have always smiled whenever I thought about Bucky since our days together at CGA. He was such a great guy to be around. We had blast during our second class summer adventures and I always enjoyed seeing him at the reunions. My condolences to his family.
Rest in peace Bucky; Class of ’76 will miss you. Deepest condolences to your family.
My most sincere condolences to the Horsman family on Bucky’s passing – – I regret not having served with him following graduation, but we were both Marine Engineering majors and shared a lot of study time, NavArch labs and projects at CGA and these are all great memories which have dimmed very little, even over the decades. Bucky always seemed to find a way to look at things positively and with a smile. A great guy and a good friend. For him the glass was always half full, or even a quarter full – regardless he looked for the positive. His attitude was up beat and infectious, and his care genuine. Godspeed classmate, we have the watch….…
I knew Bucky through church and HealthTRAC. He was an avid swimmer, as I recall. Always upbeat and encouraging – a great conversationalist. Just a really good human being, friend, father and husband. He’ll be missed!
Bucky was witty, entertaining, and just a great guy to have as a friend and classmate. I will miss talking to him at reunions. My deepest condolences to his wife and family. His was truly a life well lived!
Bucky was a memorable classmate and fellow Marine Engineering major. I remember him as upbeat, helpful, and friendly. Rest in peace.
Al was an early mentor for me as an undergraduate student working at UMTRI in Ann Arbor in 1995. He showed me the ropes on how to do research for NSRP and he had an effect on my entire career. And was a fun boss to have, never taking anything too seriously. Thank you for your time and guidance all those years ago.
Bucky was my shipmate, classmate, and room mate on USCGC Westwind. We sailed the world together with classmates/shipmates; Cal W, Dave K, Bobby W, and Kim W . We were student engineers together tracing and qualifying on all of the Westwinds machinery. He was a good friend and has been and always will be with me in spirit .
“Bucky your ship is anchored in God’s Harbour.
And your classmates, now of equal rank.
Are mustered on the deck to greet.
And Pipe as you ascend the Plank.
The Westwinds mains are warmed and ready.
All is stowed and alley stored.
Just waiting to get underway.
When the last classmate comes aboard.
Bucky Look sharp! That Hand is you, Old Sailor.
And you’ll be sailing out on Heavenly Seas.
May the wind be ever at your back.
Fair weather, and God Speed”
Fair well my Friend and Classmate!
Rest in Peace my friend. Enjoyed our trip to Ludington to get the SS Badger certified to sail for another season. Always a smile on your face and a story to tell on the ride up and back. Appreciated your knowledge and wisdom always. Missing you now and forever. God Bless your family and friends .
Al always had a smile when we met and a good antidote of something we both liked. We met through our kids in sports and we always seemed to meet up when we gave blood at Red Cross drives. I will miss him. Mike H
Bucky Horsman – just speaking or hearing his name brings a huge smile to my face. He was a great and high energy Classmate at CGA. All my interactions with Bucky were at the Academy – always lifted my spirits. God bless his family at this time – and know that Bucky was held in high regard by all that knew him.
I am very sorry to hear that Bucky is no longer with us. I remember him as a go-getter and very enthusiastic member of the CGA class of ’76. RIP
Bucky was the consummate professional and an exemplary engineer. We enjoyed several years together first at the academy, through two more years of school at the University of Michigan (duins), and then at an occasional professional meeting. He was uniformly friendly, cheerful and clever – always a great pleasure to be in his company. His passing gives us great sorrow. We can only imagine how Chris and family are dealing with their loss. May they find comfort in the presence of friends and family that knew him best. And may our friend find his eternal rest in the promises and presence of his Savior.
Having served with Bucky aboard the Westwind, as his Lotus co-pilot during many trips during Academy days, and visiting the hometown Fire House – I’ll miss his smile, attitude, and overall desire to have a good time no matter what the situation … fair winds my friend
Bucky Horsman-Smooth sailing into Abraham’s bosom my fellow classmate. May God Almighty protect your wife, children and grandchildren. Your fellow classmate Ricardo Ledesma ’76.
Bucky was a great guy and a wonderful classmate at the Coast Guard Academy. I remember him working on that Lotus of his first last year. It was the most exotic car and probably the one needing the most work! I always enjoyed catching up with him at the reunions. He will be greatly missed this September.
Buck was a great classmate and solid citizen. The USCGA class of 1976 will mourn him deeply.
Jeff Moller
I knew Al as a fellow U of M alumnus and an industry colleague. He was a great resource of knowledge and a truly nice guy. I always learned something when we got together.