Ron Hort

In Memoriam

After a long battle with a series of serious health problems, Ronald Franklin Hort passed away shortly after returning home to Minnesota from being an exhibiting dealer at the 2013 Antique Rug & Textile Show ( ARTS ) in San Francisco this fall. Ron was a presence through the last 30 years as an exhibiting dealer at ACOR and ICOC events and at the various Caskey-Lees Tribal and Textile Art Shows as well. Ron also put up focused exhibitions of antique rugs, tribal trappings, and textiles at museums in his home town of Minneapolis.
I have had the distinct pleasure of a 40 year personal friendship and business relationship with Ron. He was perpetually 'high on life' and possessed a keen sense of humor that kept people laughing. Ron was full of élan and spirit. He exhibited a passion for his Oriental rug business and was always excited to display his goods. Ron liked to refer to himself as "The Hortinator" to close friends and colleagues. Those who knew him personally through the decades can certainly attest to his colorful character and reflect on the loss to the global antique Oriental rug community. I will personally miss the enjoyment and constant entertainment of his presence on the rug show circuit and the annual fishing trips I used to make traveling with him to the beautiful lakes in his home state of Minnesota.

Rest in peace our dear friend.

Michael Phillips
December, 2013

  • Stolen at The Caskey-Lees Tribal and Textile Art Show in February, 2013. Nice Central Asian Uzbek chapan with real dyes.