Known for his curious mind and extensive interests, former UF professor Gerald Horton, 74, died Wednesday morning after being diagnosed with an aggressive cancer in his gallbladder about six weeks ago.
Horton was a visiting executive professor at UF's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Warrington College of Business for about seven years.
As a former member of the U.S. Navy and administrative assistant to a congressman, Horton brought broad experience in public service and entrepreneurial efforts to his position.
He came to UF in 2001 after teaching for 10 years at the University of Georgia.
Arnold Heggestad, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, said during the five years they knew each other, he was impressed by Horton's connections.
"You mentioned anything, he knew the guy," Heggestad said, adding Horton worked with Martin Luther King Jr. "It was sort of uncanny, the people he knew."
Despite health problems, he said Horton always made it to class, often walking from his apartment on 13th Street when he could.
Heggestad said Horton would select a group of UF graduate students in his field and take them to dinner once a week to discuss a topic of choice.
"You know, he understood his craft," he said. "He loved to teach."
Outside the classroom, Horton had a folk art collection of about 1,000 pieces, which recently debuted at an in-state museum.
Heggestad said Horton was forced to leave UF in May as part of UF's $47 million budget cuts.
Horton took UF's ability to offer an entrepreneurship minor with him because he taught the key course for the minor, Heggestad said. The minor's loss angered many students, he said.
After leaving UF, Horton spent his time in Jacksonville, often fishing and beginning work with Edward Waters College.
The youngest of his three children, Nehl Horton, said he thought his father's love for teaching and young people energized him.
Despite his ties to Georgia, his son said Horton learned to love the Florida coast and even how to balance a love for two teams often in competition.
"I think he had plenty of room for both the Dawgs and the Gators," he said.
His family requested condolences and contributions in lieu of flowers be sent to celebratehorton@yahoo.com for a scholarship fund in his name at UF and UGA.
