IN MEMORIAM: Richard Van Horn ‘65
The Rev. Canon Richard Van Horn, Class of 1965, assisting priest at St. Mary’s Church (Mariposa), Los Angeles, CA and president emeritus of Mental Health America of Los Angeles-Long Beach, died June 15, 2021, aged 81.
In addition to his vocation as a priest, Van Horn was a lifetime local, regional and national advocate for people with mental health issues. In 1980 he became president at CEO of Mental Health America of Los Angeles-Long Beach, (MHALA) and served in that role until 2009, when he retired and was named president-emeritus.
Van Horn also served on the boards of the California Institute for Mental Health, the National Council of Community Behavioral Health, and the California Council of Community Mental Health Agencies. He was a member of the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission and most recently chaired the board of directors of Mental Health America California.
Concurrently with his work at MHALA Van Horn served St. Mary’s (Mariposa) as associate priest, often officiating at baptisms, funerals and weddings. “His study of world religions and his experience at several interfaith weddings earned him the moniker of ‘honorary rabbi,’” according to an obituary written by his family.
Van Horn’s experience in mental health work began during his service as canon missioner for congregation planning for the Diocese of Los Angeles, work he began in 1974. He joined the board of the small local Mental Health Association, later becoming its executive director. With the help of an unexpected $7 million bequest, he helped MHA become a national and international leader in mental health services.
“Richard played a key role in the development of more progressive and humane mental health policies and services in Los Angeles County, throughout California, and at the national level,” according to his family. “His was a unique combination of moral authority, policy expertise, and political savvy. In 2004 he joined with then-State Assemblyman Darrell Steinberg to help draft and pass Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act. Through an added tax on the highest earners, the measure injected substantial new funding for services across California. He was a mentor and advisor for generations of leaders in the field of mental health.”
From 1988 to 2005, Van Horn was a board member of the Cathedral Corporation, which managed funds raised from the 1979 sale of the earthquake-damaged St. Paul’s Cathedral. The corporation dispersed grants from the monies it held in trust, and eventually oversaw construction of the Cathedral Center of St. Paul, the diocesan administrative and ministry hub now known as St. Paul’s Commons.
Van Horn also served on the diocese Standing Committee from 1984 to 1988 and on the Commission on Ministry from 1981 to 1984. Robert C. Rusack, fourth bishop of Los Angeles, named him a canon of the diocese in 1980.
Richard Van Horn was born in Arcadia, California, on Sept. 24, 1939 and was educated in its schools. He excelled in debate and enjoyed tinkering with cars. In his teens Van Horn joined the Episcopal Church. His faith deepened during his years at Harvard University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. After graduation in 1961, he spent a year in Japan on a church-related fellowship, helping to build a church youth camp, teaching English as a second language, and nurturing what became a lifelong interest in Japanese culture. Upon his return to the United States, he enrolled at General, where he became known as a fierce social justice warrior.
Francis Eric Bloy, third bishop of Los Angeles, ordained Van Horn to the diaconate in September of 1965, and to the priesthood the following March. He served as curate at St. Mark’s Church, Van Nuys; as urban associate at St. Mary’s (Mariposa), rector of St. Barnabas’ Church, Los Angeles; and as director of an alternative high school at St. Luke’s Church, Long Beach before his appointment to his diocesan position.
A Los Angeles Times obituary with more information about Van Horn’s work in mental health advocacy is here.
Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Kay Ferber Van Horn; son Kinter; grandchildren Skyler, Aidan, Kylia, and Aysa; stepchildren Mark (Debbie) and Todd (Tali); step-grandchildren Max (Erin), Samantha (Patrick), Eli, Maya, and Cameron, and step-great-grandson Noah.
Services will be held at Saint Mary’s Church, 961 S. Mariposa Avenue, Los Angeles, CA on July 10 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Mental Health America.