Ryan Christopher Swanson, 56, died August 2, 2025, at Hospice House, surrounded by his wife and four sons. He was born January 19, 1969, in Merriam, to Abbie Blevins. Ryan was lovingly adopted by Rex and Vicky Howell. After Rex died, Vicky married Robert “Swanee” Swanson, and he adopted Ryan.
Ryan graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1987, and attended Hutchinson Community College (HCC) and Kansas State University, where he graduated in 1991.
From a very young age, Ryan was a gifted athlete with a special love for the game of basketball. He played basketball for Hutchinson High School as well as HCC. In 1988, he helped the HCC Blue Dragons win the NJCAA National Basketball Tournament. After graduating from K-State, Ryan began his career coaching men’s basketball teams at various colleges, including Kentucky, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Garden City. From 2006-2009, he coached the Hutchinson Blue Dragons and from 2015-2022, the Buhler High School Crusaders. Throughout his coaching career, Ryan made thousands of connections with coaches, athletes, families, and the media, leaving an impact on everyone he ever met.
Currently, Ryan owned Phoenix Restoration and Phoenix Roofing, with his wife, Robin. He was a member and avid golfer at Prairie Dunes Country Club. Ryan enjoyed spending quality time with his family and friends especially on vacations, with trips to Las Vegas being one of his favorite get-aways. He had a fondness for all dogs, but especially his own four-legged pals- Willow, Maverick, Chief, Cali, Harley, and Stella. In addition, Ryan’s grand-dogs- B, Remi, Goose, Hank, Bentley, and Milo, held a special place in his heart. Above all, Ryan loved his family unconditionally, and was always there for them in the peaks and valleys of life. Ryan was proud to be a father, and proved blood does not make you a father, true love and devotion does.
On October 3, 2010, he married the love of his life, Robin Raye Griffey, in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico.
Ryan is survived by: his wife, Robin of Buhler; sons, Chase Swanson (Taylor) of Wichita, Carson Schoenhoff (Makenzie) of Overland Park, Cayden Schoenhoff of Manhattan, and Codi Schoenhoff of Buhler; mother, Vicky Swanson of Hutchinson; sisters, Amy Waggoner of Hutchinson and Karla Reed (Timothy) of Berryton, KS; his biological mother, Abbie Call (Jerry); half-brother, Shea Call (Allison); half-sister, Kristin Call; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his fathers, Rex Howell and Robert “Swanee” Swanson; brother-in-law, George Waggoner; nephew, Carl Waggoner; and mother-in-law and father-in-law, Carol and Ray Griffey.
Celebration of Life service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 8, 2025, at the Hutchinson Sports Arena, 700 E. 11th Avenue, Hutchinson. (Please enter through the west doors). Friends may sign his book from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday at Elliott Mortuary.
Click the link below to view Ryan's Celebration of Life Service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Ryan Swanson Memorial Fund, (to be given to organizations Ryan had a passion for), in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501. To benefit the Ryan Swanson Memorial Fund, please make the check payable to Elliott Mortuary.
The family requests those attending his service to wear attire of team(s) he coached, K-State or Kansas City Chiefs.
Ryan’s legacy will live on forever in the memories he made with family and friends in his short 56 years.