Ross D. Hytnen Sr.

Ross D. Hytnen Sr., age 69, passed from this life on April 20, 2015. He was born in Springfield, MA to Matti and Eileen Buckwold Hytnen on November 29, 1945. Ross enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and flew Air Rescue. After serving for 22 years he retired and settled in Corpus Christi. During his time in the USAF he attended Wayland Baptist University and received a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Education in 1983. Ross owned and ran a vacuum repair shop and also worked for Corpus Christi Stamp Works. Ross had a deep passion for modeling and was a superb modeller of dioramas, some commercially and many for his own large train layout. He was a former member of Corpus Christi Model railroad Club. While living in Germany, Ross also made models for George Lucas executive director, of “Star Wars Episode V, The Empire Strikes Back”, which were used in the Hoth scenes of the movie. Ross was an avid reader and also enjoyed travel. Civil War sites and old railroad depots were favorite destinations. He loved life and had many friends and never met a stranger. Ross was preceded in death by his father, Matti Hytnen; his mother, Eileen Buckwold Hytnen and his wife, Sherry Wallum Hytnen. Ross is survived by his soul mate, Miriam “Becca” Schylaske; his children, Toni L. Mitchell (Dave) of Spencer, MA, Eric D. Hytnen (Karen) of Warren, MA, Michael L. Fodor (Amanda) of Jonesboro, AR, Deborah K. Fobor of Jonesboro, AR and Ross D. Hytnen Jr. (Sharon) of Seattle, WA; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his longtime friend Darrell Mertens who was considered a brother and his wife Christine of Monson, MA; his sister-in-law Debra Coleman of Corpus Christi, TX and other relatives and friends. A memorial service will be held at his church Galilean Lutheran Church on May 16, 2015at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to his church: Galilean Lutheran Church, 3321 Cimarron Blvd., Corpus Christi, Texas 78414.