Keith H. Hornberger

Keith Harris Hornberger, 41, departed this earthly life on April 5, 2024. He was born on February 13, 1983, in Exeter, NH, the eldest son of John Hornberger of Hampton and Mary Hillyer of Somersworth. He attended Sacred Heart School, Hampton Academy and Winnacunnet High School in Hampton. His childhood interests included surfing, skateboarding, and fishing (proud winner of the annual Hampton fishing derby when he was 10).

Keith was a skilled craftsman and put his creative energy into designing and building houses. He was an avid music-lover, especially the Grateful Dead. Keith was a lifelong “Deadhead”, a passion he passed on to his son, Ryker. He loved and protected his family fiercely, loving nothing more than being a father—teaching and experiencing life through his children’s eyes. Keith found peace in nature, often spending hours looking at the horizon from the beach, sitting at the lake with his fishing rod, skateboarding with his son and helping his kids build fairy houses in the woods. He was a natural leader, charismatic and strong. He will be missed by all who knew him, but especially by his two children, Ryker and Stella Blue, and their mother, Anna Battle, who he loved immensely.

Keith is also survived by his parents, his brother, Kevin Hornberger of South Berwick, ME, his nieces Josie and Ellie, his stepfather, Mark Blackmar of Somersworth, his stepbrother, Dylan Blackmar of Pensacola FL, his stepsisters Jenna Blackmar of Exeter, NH, and Erin Blackmar of Bethlehem, CT, and a realm of loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was predeceased by his grandparents, most recently his beloved Grandma Pat Hillyer. He was an integral part of our lives, and we will miss him always.

Visitation will be held at Taskers Funeral Home in Dover on Thursday, April 11, from 5-7pm. A mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Mary’s Church (Parish of the Assumption) in Dover, NH, on April 12, at 11am, with a luncheon at the church hall to follow. Donations can be made in Keith’s memory via the link found on taskerfuneralservice.com.