Christopher Dennis Horman
May 19, 1971 - May 11, 2024
Christopher Dennis “Topher” Horman loved streamer cannons, souvenir cups, fog machines, and any way to create a scene. He died May 11, 2024 at fifty-two, and was gone too soon.
Born May 19, 1971 to Winkie and Dennis Horman in Salt Lake City, Topher had an idyllic childhood filled with trips to Disneyland, boating on Lake Powell and running around Cottonwood Mall. A graduate of the Cottonwood High class of 1989, he especially loved senior year, when he led the busy social life of a cheerleader. After graduation he moved briefly to New York City before serving on an LDS mission to Lisbon, Portugal. When he returned, he studied at the University of Utah, and earned his bachelor’s degree in Communications.
During these years Topher also worked as a trainer and travel agent for FunJet and Morris Air, which kickstarted a lifelong love of getting his passport stamped in as many countries as he could. He chased every opportunity and ended up in far-flung places that fed his exuberant spirit for adventure, and shared his love of seeing the world with family – one of his fondest memories was traveling with his mother to Turkey, where they haggled at bazaars and tea shops earning the respect of sellers for their shrewd skills.
A life-long Utah Utes football and all around sports fan (he played in a Fantasy Football League before the internet), he landed a job with Bowl Games of America, where he worked on the production of college half-time shows and parades. Topher traveled to almost every stadium, ballpark and arena in the US unfurling giant American flags and working on pregame shows for MLB, NFL, NHL, etc. He would hype up the opportunity of being part of the pageantry to hundreds of volunteers hoping they would love it as much as he did, then hurry to the stands to be part of the cheering crowd. Truly a fan of every city and every team. He researched every city he visited, getting to know local culture and learning about unique or historic spots to eat or explore. It made him a joy to travel with. He loved bringing back souvenirs, coins and stories to impress his nieces and nephews, and later his three kids.
In 1999, his sister Christina introduced him to Aimee Bateman, and they married in 2003. Over the next five years they welcomed their children Tabitha, Theodore and Freddy into the world. Topher absolutely adored being a dad.
As their young family began building a life in Sugar House, Topher threw his big-idea spirit into many creative pursuits. He wrote, directed, edited and produced a full-length movie, which garnered the attention and a job as the Operations Director at Utah Film Center, he ran for city council, was instrumental in creating the Sugar House Time Capsule, and he dreamed up incredible crowd experiences for Salt Lake’s New Year’s ‘Eve’ event – like filling a ballroom with 2,000 beachballs and disco lights. He was assistant race director for the SLC Marathon, presented on crowd semiotics at TEDx SLC, and grew the Utah Arts Festival’s “Fear No Film” program into the internationally recognised and respected program it is today. However, the work he was most proud of was raising money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals through digital storytelling. He poured his passion into his endeavors and made a positive impact at every place he worked.
In the last few years, Topher struggled with mental health issues which ultimately took his life. To honor Topher, please care for your mental and physical health, and love those around you fiercely.
Topher was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Winkie. He is survived by Aimee, Tabi, Theo, and Freddy Horman; by his best friend and father, Dennis Horman; by his sisters Klea (Andrea), Nanette (Jack), Natalie (Eric), and Christina (Dustin); and by his nieces and nephew Gracie, Molly (Chad), Rose, Henry, Cait, and Klea, as well as a large loving extended family and countless friends.
A celebration of Topher’s big life will be on Saturday, August 10 from 5-8 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. Guests are encouraged to use parking and entrance located on the north side of the building. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to NAMI Utah.
In Loving Memory
My deepest condolences to you. I'm so sad the world lost an earth angel! Topher will always hold a place in my heart as one of God's unique spirits. So smart, funny, kind, loving, creative, full of life....He was so proud of his kids and spoke highly of his family. I'm happy I had the opportunity to know Topher. Rest in peace my friend. ONE LOVE ❤️
Topher was, and will always be, my dear friend. He was my first boyfriend in 5th grade-we were way too young. He is way too young to leave this world. My love and prayers are with his family.
Fond memories of Topher since Day One (1977) of elementary school and Little League baseball. Enjoyed some association with Dennis and Winkie later in 1996. RIP Amigo.
I met Topher in 7th grade French class and thought "who is this guy?" Outgoing to my reserved. Optimistic to my pessimistic. Right brained to my left. So of course we became best friends. I only hope I had a tenth of the influence on his life that he had on mine. From sleepovers with Monty Python movies to actually helping Topher make his own full length motion picture! From playing trumpet and trombone together in high school band to running a giant American flag across the football fields of Green Bay and Duke University. Here are just a few of my countless Topher memories: Playing foozball tournaments in his garage and actually having home field advantage by naming our stadiums. Topher's stadium was Frank Layden's Palace of Nudity. Sliding a tape of This is Spinal Tap into the VCR while drinking rum and coke and 5 minutes in having to rewind it back to the beginning because we couldn't stop laughing when Rob Reiner says, "Hi, I'm Marty Debergi." All the Utes football and basketball games whether at the stadium, someone's house or the bar. Go Utes! Watching Pulp Fiction for the umpteenth time and enjoying it even more each time. Jumping out of an airplane and taking shit from him for the next 10 years because he landed 2 yards closer to the landing target than I did. Day trips on Morris Air to Universal Studios. Going to lunch every late summer to brainstorm what to name our fantasy football teams. Topher introduced me to the league 27 years ago that is still going today. Just hanging out with our core group of friends wherever we were. I love all you guys! Just hanging out with his family at his house. Winkie was always so entertaining and I will always say that Dennis is the nicest man I've ever met. All his sisters who I still consider family and adore as much as my own family. Topher and I inevitably grew apart once we settled down and started our own families but of course we stayed in touch and saw each other sporadically each year. I regret not spending more time with Aimee and the kids and getting to know them better. I love all of you and am heartbroken for you. One last note just for Topher: Meow! Meow meow meow!
Oh Toph, you were always the most fun guy in the room. We connected over Oingo Boingo, the Norway ride at EPCOT and the late night bingo/Boingo ladies of Vegas. See you on the flip side, my friend.
Topher and I were roommates for a time in mid 90's. He showed me how to loosen up and have a good time! Always the funnest and funniest person in the room. You'll be missed greatly.
Just a few days ago I thought about Topher, and then today I found out about his passing. He came to my mind because I was dealing with a crick in my neck. This sounds odd, but it reminded me of Topher because of kindness he showed to me years ago. We were on a shoot for CMN Hospitals in some far-flung part of the country. As luck would have it, I was struggling with a crick in my neck. The next morning, Topher let me borrow some devices he used to help massage his muscles. I was touched that he thought to help out like that. This is a small thing, but it shows the big heart Topher had. I truly enjoyed getting to work with him at CMN Hospitals. He was such a creative person with great passion.
I have only found memories of Topher. I always enjoyed talking to him. He had a great sense of humor and was a great storyteller. My heart goes out to those who love him most. Such a great loss. Be well Topher.
The Topher I knew, from his birth until now, was a person of kindness, amazing energy, great stories and love. He was a huge presence any where he went. May he rest in peace and the good memories carry his family through this sad time.
We are so sorry to hear of Topher's passing. My kids and I met him through his work with Childrens Miracle Network Hospitals. His family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May Topher rest in peace.
I will always remember Topher for the fun-loving spirit he brought with him everywhere. He was the star of our roadshow once, playing James Bond. He was my neighbor when he was growing up. His family, namely his sisters, were the first neighbors I met when Robert and I moved into the new home we built. These neighborhood girls came to my door with all of their pets and doll buggies. I have fond memories of Dennis and Winkie and the five children. I offer my deepest condolences to the Horman family.
In Loving Memory
