Veteran reporter Barry Horstman left his native Cincinnati several times in his career, but he always came back, spending most of the last 20 years in the city he loved.
Horstman died Monday after collapsing in the Enquirer newsroom. His cause of death is unknown.
Horstman, 60, of Mount Lookout, was a consummate story-teller, either when writing a story or regaling others with tales of his latest international vacation.
“Barry was an investigative reporter. He was tough. He was relentless. But he was the sweetest man in the world. And that all makes sense. He was so tough because he loved this community so much. He wanted it to be as good as it could be. This is a terrible loss to our Enquirer family and a loss to the community,” Enquirer Editor Carolyn Washburn said.
Horstman grew up on the west side of Cincinnati where his family owned Glenmore Bowl in Cheviot. Horstman was an avid and talented bowler, becoming so proficient that he once was ranked No. 2 in the country in his age group.
“Barry was a newsman’s newsman,” said Mike Philipps, a former editor at The Cincinnati Post and now president of the Scripps Howard Foundation.
“He was indefatigable when it came to going after stories. He knew the city. He loved Cincinnati and he was very good at what he did.”
