Dr. George L. "Doc" Horvat

Dr. George L. “Doc” Horvat, 77, Duluth resident, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, March 20, 2015 at the Solvay Hospice House in Duluth. He was born on March 2, 1938 in East St. Louis, IL to George S. and Laura (Little) Horvat.

He graduated from Assumption High School in East St. Louis, Illinois where he played football and was a competitive swimmer and diver. He received his BA Degree from Southern Illinois University in East St. Louis, and received his Masters Degree from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville and PhD in Psychology from St. Louis University in St. Louis, MO.

George married Judy Wall on October 7, 1961 at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Caseyville, IL and they celebrated fifty-three years of marriage.

George previously taught at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX. He then worked for the Federal Bureau of Prisons for over twenty-six years at locations in multiple states, and finally for the Florida Department of Corrections. He also taught at Troy State University in Panama City, FL and most recently had been in private practice in FL and MN.

He was a member of Cathedral of Christ the King Catholic Church and a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus. He volunteered extensively at the CHUM Center in Duluth with his wife, Judy. He was a member of the A.P.A. – American Psychological Association and previously had been a Boy Scout leader for his Eagle Scout sons, Bill and Stephen.

He enjoyed reading, camping and traveling extensively with his work. George once canoed the entire length of the Mississippi River with his youngest son, Stephen. As a psychologist, George also enjoyed observing human behavior.

George is survived by his wife, Judy; four daughters, Theresa (Gerald) Carr, Duluth, MN, Christine (Steven) Wipson, Moose Lake, MN, Michelle Horvat, Duluth, MN and Anne (Nathaniel) Welte, Perham, MN; three sons, Michael (Deanna) Horvat, Thornton, CO, William “Bill” Horvat, Panama City, FL and Stephen (Elizabeth) Horvat, Hamden, CT; twelve grandchildren, Julia, Clare, John and Dominic Carr, Susan, Bryan (Jenna) and Daniel Horvat, Blake Horvat, Sydney and Grace Wipson and Emily and Alex Welte and one brother, Louis Joe Horvat.

He is preceded in death by daughters Cindy and Shari Horvat, son Kevin George Horvat, his parents and a sister Elizabeth Bowman.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at Cathedral of Christ the King Catholic Church, 1111 Belknap Street, Superior and will continue until the 11:00 AM Memorial Mass with Rev. Fr. Andrew Ricci officiating.

Pallbearers for the service will be George’s sons of birth and heart.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made in George’s name to the Solvay Hospice House in Duluth.

The Downs-LeSage Funeral Home, 1304 Hammond Avenue, Superior is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.downs-lesage.com.