Roman Lee Hruska

1933 - 2014

Roman Lee Hruska
Sept. 24, 1933 - October 27. 2014
Walnut Creek
Roman Lee Hruska, the eldest child of Roman and Victoria Kuncl Hruska, was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He and his brother, Quentin, and sister, Jana, enjoyed a large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Roman graduated from Omaha Central High School and the University of Omaha. He attended Czech language school on Saturdays at the Sokol Hall during his youth. He served in the Air Force stationed in France. He married Mary Ann Behlen in Columbus, Nebraska in 1964 and they moved to San Francisco. A year later they moved to Walnut Creek where Roman built the Arroyo Car Wash. Always self-employed he owned Farmtec, Inc. in Oakland and Robco USA in Concord and invested in real estate. All his life he nurtured interests in many things from astronomy and photography to history and travel. He and Mary Ann visited more than 50 countries including a trip on a Russian icebreaker sailing nearly to the North Pole. He worked the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle in an hour most weeks. He was an avid reader. One corner of his mouth would crinkle and warn of an approaching witty remark! He could fix anything. Woodturning captured his interest after a week-long class at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Tennessee and he developed a fine turning studio and skills. He and his wife have created a collection of wood art from many internationally-recognized artists. His Czech heritage was always an important part of his life so after his father's death he took over the cabin his family had enjoyed for over 50 years at Sokol Camp on the Platte River near Omaha. He and Mary Ann turned it into a year-round cottage, his Villa on the Platte, and enjoyed many wonderful weeks there with family and long-time friends.
Roman is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; children, Roman and his wife, Wendy, and their sons, Roman and Kent; and Libby and her husband Frank Fletcher, and their sons, Sebastian and Xavier.
No service is planned. Memorials are suggested to the Walnut Creek Library Foundation, PO Box 4979, Walnut Creek CA 94596 or the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, 1400 Inspiration Place, Cedar Rapids IA 52404.