Robert G Horvath

Robert "Bob" G. Horvath, 75, of Mentor, OH, was born on March 14, 1949, in Painesville, OH, and passed away peacefully at his home on March 8, 2025. Born the third son of Stephen F. Jr. and Leona G. (nee Fees) Horvath, he was a lifelong Lake County resident. He was a retired Millwright from Midwest Forge in Cleveland and worked at the American Legion Post #336 in Painesville.

He graduated in 1967 from Harvey High School, where he was a member of the football and wrestling teams. After high school, he joined the US Air Force. After completing basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX, Bob was assigned to the Strategic Air Command at Wright-Patterson AFB near Dayton, OH, as a Security Police Officer. During the Vietnam Conflict, he was deployed to Phang Rang AFB, Vietnam, where he served honorably as a Staff Sergeant. After his discharge from the Air Force, he earned an Associate's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Lakeland Community College.

Bob's dedication to his country and loyalty to his fellow airmen and other brothers and sisters who served continued for the remainder of his life. He demonstrated this through his unwavering commitment to all those he met through AMVETS Post #40 in Mentor and American Legion Post #336 in Painesville. He was a very active member of both organizations, holding various offices and positions throughout the years. The time he devoted to AMVETS and the American Legion was incredibly important to him.

Affectionately called "The Softball God" by his daughters, Bob was a fixture in the local softball community for over 40 years. He played catcher in several adult softball leagues around Lake County before being drawn to umpiring. Once he started, he fully immersed himself, serving as a softball and baseball official in every sanctioned organization within Ohio. He held leadership roles as State Director for the American Softball Association (ASA) and National Softball Association (NSA) Umpire Associations and took on other offices within these and the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) at different times. He also officiated girls' softball and boys' baseball for the OHSSA and even had the honor of officiating a few NCAA match-ups. He once said he would be okay if God took him home while he was out on a ballfield—it was undoubtedly one of his favorite places to be. The softball field was his sanctuary. 

Bob was a tough and passionate coach, whether managing his daughters in the Painesville Recreation League or leading his friends in the Painesville Township Park adult leagues. He was well-known in the softball community for occasionally being ejected from games due to his fervent arguments with umpires. His deep knowledge of the rulebooks, which he memorized cover to cover, fueled these spirited exchanges. He instilled his love of softball and baseball in his daughters and granddaughters. Some of their most cherished memories with Bob involve attending Lake County Captains games together, including the unforgettable experience of sharing the Captains' 2024 Midwest League Championship win with their father.

Although he didn't get to see the Cleveland Guardians win the World Series or the Browns win the Super Bowl, Bob remained a lifelong, loyal fan. He held season tickets for both teams at the old Municipal Stadium until the opening of the Gateway Complex in 1994. He had hoped this could be the year he would see the Guardians snap the 77-year championship drought to bring home the World Series pennant. One of the best memories his daughters have is attending Browns Training Camp in the mid-1980s at Lakeland Community College, where they met Bob Golic, Bernie Kosar, and Clay Matthews — their favorite players at the time.

Bob is survived by his loving wife, Cynthia (nee Toothman) Horvath of Mentor, whom he married in 2002; his daughters, Terry (Shawn) Bishop of Perry Twp. (Lake County) and Tracy (Jeffrey) Kimbrough of Painesville; his granddaughters, Megan Bishop of Delaware, OH, and Karey Kimbrough of Painesville; his brother, Richard (Colleen Brady) Horvath of Bratenahl; sisters-in-law, April (nee Poxon) Horvath of Darby, MT, and Fredricka (nee Mongenel) Horvath of Grand River; stepsons, Jeremy Orzechowski of Twinsburg and Joshua Orzechowski of Virginia; stepdaughter, Michelle "Shelley" (Michael) Vecchio of Brook Park; several step-grandchildren; his former wife, Karen Gebeau of Painesville; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Bob also leaves behind countless friends and acquaintances.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Stephen F. Sr. and Margaret Horvath, and George and Anne Fees; his parents, Stephen F. Jr. and Leona G. (nee Fees) Horvath; and his brothers, Thomas and Ronald Horvath.

There will be a private internment at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio.  The family will hold a Celebration of Bob’s life at American Legion Post #336 in May/June.

Contributions may be made in Bob’s name to either the American Heart Association or any Post of the Amvets or American Legion.

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