Robert Louis Horbach, son of Joseph and Mildred (Mescher) Horbach, was born October 16, 1939, in Carroll, Iowa. He lived with his parents in Manning, Iowa, and graduated from Manning High School in 1957. He then graduated from Parson's College in Fairfield, Iowa.

After serving in the United States Marine Corps for 18 months he was honorably discharged and returned to Manning, Iowa, where he was united in marriage with Janet Kuhl. Three children were born to this union.

The family lived first in Sioux City, Iowa, where Rob worked for the State of Iowa. They then moved to Madison, Wisconsin, where Rob earned his masters and doctorate degrees from the University of Wisconsin. After teaching at the University of Georgia at Athens for four years, in 1976, he was invited to join the faculty at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He organized and chaired the new department of Rehabilitation Psychology. He remained at UNLV throughout his professional career in the Department of Counseling and Education Psychology.

With his second wife, Arlene, Rob had three more children. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing and playing tennis. In January 2002, Rob was diagnosed with kidney disease and was undergoing dialysis while waiting for a kidney transplant. In January 2004, a kidney was located, however the transplant was not a success. He died Thursday, March 11, 2004, in Miami, at the age of 64 years.

Survivors include his mother, Mildred of Manning, Iowa; wife, Arlene of Las Vegas; six children; and 12 grandchildren.

Memorial service honoring Dr. Robert Horbach will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, April 30, at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Foyer, Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall.