Richard passed away peacefully on October 11, 2017, after a long battle with cancer.

Richard was born and raised in Oregon City to Norma and Edward Hornych. He served in the Air Force as a Jet Mechanic from 1957 to 1964, and served in the Korean War in 1958. He worked for Freightliner before starting his own business, Bear Gems in 1980. He was a craftsman, creating burl wood clocks and wind chimes, which he sold through local craft shows and his shop at his home. He also repaired clocks for many years before retiring in 2006.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Ruth, of Oregon City; daughters, Jan Mitchell of Chandler, AZ and Cindy of Payson, AZ; son, Adam, and his partner Marc Devon of Payson, AZ; and grandson Huston Mitchell and his wife, Maria. He is preceded in death by his sons, Mark and Alan; parents, Norma and Edward; and his brother, Wally.