Rick VanHorn

Rick E. Van Horn, age 54, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, July 31, 2007 by the side of his fiancÇe, Dianna Ansay. It was a sunny, clear day?? the sort of day Rick would have enjoyed playing tennis, golf, or working on a project at their farm in Brownsburg, Indiana. He lost his final tennis match against liver cancer which began a short six months ago. Rick was born on October 22, 1952 in Yakima, Washington to Loren and Juliet Van Horn. His good high school friend, Tim McGree, taught him to play tennis in 1970 which became a major passion for the rest of his life. He graduated from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington and played tennis on the varsity team. He was the General Manager of the Yakima Tennis Club located in Yakima, Washington, for 19 years with a membership of over 1,500 adults and juniors with 13 outdoor and 8 indoor courts. In 1995 he moved to Portland, Oregon and served as the Director of Player Development for the USTA/Pacific Northwest Tennis Association which is a section of the United States Tennis Association. In April 1997, he made his move to Indianapolis, Indiana and served as the Director of the Indianapolis Tennis Cen...[more]

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ter on the campus of IUPUI until his passing. Rick?s interest in tennis was not just limited to his employment in the sport. He gave countless hours as a volunteer within the structure of the United States Tennis Association. Rick was a catalyst for change, he helped shape the current leadership at USTA as a member of a recent Nominating Committee, and he left it a better organization. Before moving to the USTA/Midwest Section, Rick had served in many volunteer roles for the USTA/Pacific Northwest. He was elected President of the USTA/Pacific Northwest and served in that capacity for five years from 1990-1994. As a USTA national volunteer, Rick served on several committees including Nominating, Sectional Presidents (of which he was elected Chairman), Sectional Delegate, USTA Leagues, Junior Competition, Adult Recreational Tennis, Tennis Rules, and Adult Competition. In the USTA/Midwest Section, he served as the Chairman of the Junior Competition Committee from 2002-2007 and was Chairman of the District Presidents' Committee in 2004 and 2005. He was Chairman of the Junior Davis Cup Committee from 2000-2001 and served on the Sectional Championship Committee in 1999. At the local and District level, Rick was a founding member of the Indianapolis Community Tennis Association and served as its Treasurer for two years. He served a two-year term as President of the Central Indiana Tennis Association from 2005-2006. He also served as an USTA Official presiding over many tournaments and league matches. Rick has always been a gifted athlete. He enjoyed and excelled at many sports including tennis, golf, softball, downhill skiing, biking, running, platform tennis, and billiards. Rick was well-known for his quick wit, sense of humor, his incredible smile, and constant twinkle in his eyes. He will be deeply missed by the thousands of tennis players, volunteers, friends and staff he came to know and work with throughout his life. Rick enjoyed coming home to the peace and quiet of his country home. Time was spent taking walks by the river with his fiancÇ and soul mate, Dianna, and their dogs, relaxing on the ?point,? using his 1953 Ford tractor, and working on projects to enhance their home and land. They enjoyed traveling and spent many memorable vacations in Mexico, the Caribbean, and the US, including their favorite city, New York. He leaves an unimaginable void and many incredible memories in Dianna?s heart and soul. Rick is survived by his fiancÇ, Dianna Ansay and her children: Scott and Becky (Rayala) Ansay, Stacey (Ansay) and Corey Sjoquist, Sherry (Ansay) and Robert Moore, along with her grandchildren Amelia Ansay, Liam and Elliott Sjoquist, and Rick and Dianna?s beloved dog, Amber, and cat, Annie. Rick is also survived by his children: April (Van Horn) and Brent Knautz and Tyler and Jessica (Brown) Van Horn along with his grandchildren Carson and Emily Knautz. He leaves behind one brother, Ron Van Horn and a very special cousin, Michelle Mann. Rick has been preceded in death by his parents, Loren and Juliet Van Horn, his sister, Renee, and his beloved dog, Ally. Visitation will be held at the Indianapolis Tennis Center, 150 University Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46202, on Sunday, August 12th, 2007 at 3:30 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life service starting at 6:00 p.m. A special thanks to Leppert Mortuary, Indianapolis, for their services. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution, it can be made to the Midwest Youth Tennis & Education Foundation, 1310 E. 96th Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46240, to keep the spirit of junior tennis alive, and to allow children to enjoy tennis like Rick did throughout his life.