“Have I got a deal for you?” Nothing made Robert Lee "Bob" Horyna, 78, happier than making a good deal, unless it included helping out friends and family. If you needed something, Bob Horyna was there to help.
Bob died July 26, 2023, at his home. He was born November 24, 1944, in Caldwell, KS, to Ben and Lucille E. (Williams) Horyna. Bob graduated from Bluff City High School in 1963 and attended Cowley County Community College. He moved to Hutchinson in 1971 and worked at Cooper Tire Service for 34 years, starting in the shop and retiring as a salesman in 2007. Besides deal-making and swap meets (he’d travel near and far for a deal or a swap meet), Bob loved traveling and gardening (well, planting anyway). He enjoyed old cars, NASCAR, and watching his grandson Peyton race. Bob told others “Life is for the living” and he definitely did that. Even after his heart slowed down, he went to his shop every day to putter and to visit with those who stopped by. He was a member of Salt City Cruisers, Campers on Mission, NSRA, and International Ford Retractable Club. Bob attended Countryside Baptist Church.
On July 3, 1965, Bob married Gayle Lynn Swafford at the Bluff City Methodist Church, sharing many wonderful years until her passing on December 13, 2005. Bob found love again and on December 9, 2006, he married Brenda D. (Manwarren) Cousins, who survives him.
Left to cherish his memory are: his daughter, Tammy Burkhart (Brent) of Hutchinson; stepdaughter, Elizabeth Garcia (Ruben) of Port Charlotte, FL; stepson, Ryan Cousins (Priscilla) of Gardner; grandsons, Jeremy Graham (Melissa), Dustin Graham (Hailey), Peyton Burkhart; step-grandchildren, Bella and Braxton Garcia, Ara Cousins; bonus granddaughters, Aelia and Anie Saner; 4 great-grandchildren; brother, Ben Horyna (Cheryl) of Hutchinson; sister, Jane Schaffer (Robert) of Louisburg; sister-in-law, Rhea Horyna of Moscow; and many extended family members.
He was preceded in death by: his parents; son, Robert Jr.; daughters, Tracy Horyna, Teresa Graham; brother Mark, and son-in-law Scott Graham.
A funeral service to celebrate Bob’s life will be held on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Countryside Baptist Church, 819 W. 30th Ave., Hutchinson. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be live-streamed on the church’s website. Following the funeral, at 3:00 p.m., burial will take place at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Bluff City. A reception will follow in the Bluff City Community Building.
Friends may pay their respects from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary, with the family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Countryside Baptist Church or Bluff City United Methodist Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.