Elizabeth Hornbeck
I knew Gonzo since I was 15 years old, he was my photo editor at the Kansas City Star - I was on the "TeenStar" staff. He stayed very late one night to help me put together my photography portfolio for an art scholarship that I received at St. Mary's (in Kansas). I moved to Houston when I turn 19. If I was so lucky as to run into his familiar smile from "home" while he was on assignment at the Chronicle or at the bowling alley in Pearland where my kids & I frequented too - it always made my day! He was my mentor, my friend. He walked the walk as a good Catholic & as someone willing to stand up for others & fight for social justice - as an Anytown camp staff member with NCCJ (in Kansas City) where we volunteered together for many summers before we both came to Texas. He was so brave & continued to smile & give us insight on what cancer patients go through at MD Anderson Cancer Center through his Facebook updates, even with a goofy smile on his face, to help the rest of us deal with his cancer diagnosis. His strength, courage, and faith was beyond bravery. And he was the biggest cheerleader and support system for those of us who have had cancer ourselves. He makes everyone who knew & loved him, aspire to be a better person!