Steven Harold Rapp

Steven Harold Rapp died peacefully on June 15, 2026 near Seattle Washington after a valiant years-long health battle.

Steve was born in Santa Monica, California on June 3, 1955, to Phyllis and Wayne Rapp. After moving to Hillsboro, Oregon with his family when Steve was just six years old, he attended public schools where he was known for his participation in student government and the high school tennis team. He was particularly recognized for national and regional achievements with the debate team, for which he won many awards and made lifelong friends.

After high school, Steve attended the University of Oregon and then Harvard University, from which he graduated in 1977. Steve’s career focus was on policy, advocacy and fundraising in the nonprofit and charitable sectors. Steve created social impact and drove positive change. He worked for many political and non-profit organizations before settling in as an independent grant writer and administrator. Through this work, he influenced the lives of many in Oregon, Alabama, Texas and finally Washington state.

Life brought him south from Oregon to Birmingham, Alabama where he settled with his life partner, Dr. Richard Horn. They spent the majority of the 1990s living together and helping raise Richard’s son, Erik. After Richard’s sudden passing in 1999, Steve became increasingly close to Erik. Steve eventually moved to Austin, Texas where Erik attended college and had started his own family. Steve eventually followed Erik to Seattle in 2021.

He was always a caring stepfather, brother, uncle, and eventually grandfather. Steve adored the time he had with his nephews and niece Ian, Alex and Kate and cherished the many times he traveled with them. He was exceptionally proud of his stepson Erik Horn and granddaughter Zoe—both of whom he proudly watched grow up.

Steve maintained many friendships from his years at Harvard (the “TA’s” played a happy role), and was an active member of the Harvard Club of Seattle. He was proud of his affiliation with Harvard and spent time reviewing essays from prospective students.

He was well known for his quick wit, cultured spirit and inquisitive nature. Steve took a great interest and pleasure in collecting art and learning about history and science. He lived to travel. Steve loved British comedies and mysteries, witty repartee, cooking and his many cat companions over the years, including Alley Cat, Miss Emma, Odie and Quark.

He is survived by his stepson Erik Horn, daughter-in-law Kathy Horn and granddaughter Zoe Horn, all of Bainbridge Island, Washington; brother William Rapp of Washington, DC, and sisters Marilyn Paja of Port Orchard, Washington and Terry Rapp O’Connell of Brisbane, California, in addition to niece Katharine Paja (Mark Case) of Belfair WA and nephews Alex Paja (Alex Skrudland) and Ian Paja (Carlie Ruffalo) each of Portland OR, and many other family and friends. We all loved him.

More information is available at the full obituary at www.rill.com.