Steven Daniel Hornung

Steven Daniel Hornung Born on March 2, 1955, in Norton, Kansas to Roberta Near Hornung and Paul S. Hornung, Steve was the third of four sons. Raised in Colby, Kansas, he graduated from high school there. Steve earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Kansas. He attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and earned Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Chemistry. As a young man, Steve had a variety of interests including playing football, running track, and working on the high school yearbook. He loved learning and being active. He enjoyed photography, sailing, fly fishing, working towards a pilot’s license, acting in plays, playing guitar, hang gliding and quoting Shakespeare.

In 1983 Steve married Maggie (Peggy) Wells and they moved to Ponca City, Oklahoma where Steve began his professional career at Conoco. In 1985 Steve moved to Baxter Medical Supplies in Mission Viejo, California where he had the opportunity to contribute to the technology used by David Vetter, the “Boy in the Bubble”. Continuing scientific pursuits, Steve happily accepted a job at Lockheed-Martin/NASA in 1989 resulting in a move to Las Cruces, New Mexico. In 1991, Steve and Maggie welcomed their son, Christopher, and in 1992 their daughter, Danae.

Family vacations became adventures and memories. This included exploring tide pools at the ocean, star gazing, snow skiing, river rafting, Broadway musicals, traveling internationally and domestically. Steve enjoyed hydroponic gardening and taking care of his pecan orchard. He was an enthusiastic cook and made amazing beef jerky which was enjoyed by friends and family! He liked listening to classic rock (Van Morrison, Chicago, and Queen) as well as instrumental

music. His favorite movies included Cannery Row and Father Goose. In 2016, he and Maggie obtained sailing captain certifications. He dreamed of owning a sailboat and sailing to exotic ports around the world. Captivated by chemical coloring and metallurgy, Steve created beautiful jewelry and was proud to be recognized by other artists in our local art community. His jewelry was also featured at the Artist’s Showcase in Depoe Bay, Oregon.

Steve loved his family and enjoyed talking about them to colleagues and friends alike and spoke of their kindness, intellect, compassion, brilliance and accomplishments. He was incredibly proud of Christopher and of Danae. He liked to say that his brother and sister-in-law (Chris and Diana) were his role models. Their standards were his guide.

Steve excelled in his professional career and was proud to refer to himself as a “rocket scientist,” no kidding. He viewed mathematics as a puzzle language. For 35 years Steve contributed to meaningful space related efforts and was instrumental in improving the safety of astronauts in various aspects.

Steve was an honoree at a Space Flight Awareness event coinciding with the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1997. He was also presented with a flag flown to the Mir Space Station aboard Space Shuttle Discovery in 1998.

His proudest career achievement was receiving the NASA Silver Snoopy award in 2009. A prestigious award for outstanding achievements related to human flight safety and mission success. The award represents the astronauts’ own recognition of excellence.

Steve was extraordinary. A brilliant scientist and artist, gifted with exceptional intellectual abilities. He loved teaching anyone interested in scientific pursuits; with a passion for continuous learning and discovery. Steve’s life was multi-dimensional with a broad range of talents, interests, abilities, and a relentless curiosity. He will be remembered well and deeply missed.

Steve is survived by his wife Maggie Hornung, his son Christopher Orsetti Hornung, brothers Phil, Eugene, and Joel Hornung, extended family members, friends and colleagues. He was preceded in death by parents Roberta and Paul Hornung, stepfather Jack Heaton and his beloved daughter Danae A Hornung.

Steve’s Memorial Service will take place at 12:00pm on June 8, 2025, at Holy Cross Retreat Chapel, 600 Holy Cross Rd., Mesilla Park, NM, reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Steve’s memory by donating to Bella Voce at https://choralassociationsnm.org/#donate

“It is the hour of pearl – the interval between day and night when time stops and examines itself.” - John Steinbeck, Cannery Row

“For in that sleep of death what dreams may come.” – Shakespeare, Hamlet