Obituaries

Ryan J. Horan, Au.D., 43

November 27, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dr. Ryan J. Horan on Wednesday November 27 at the age of 43 after a courageous five year battle with an astrocytoma brain tumor. He leaves behind his wife of twelve years, Dr. Zoe Horan, and beloved sons, Henry and Harrison, of Lancaster as well as his parents, Ray and Susan Horan, sister Dr. Sara (Dr. Manish) Lamichane, brother Dr. Colin (Renae) Horan all of Lancaster.

Ryan handled his diagnosis with the same positivity and tenacity that he approached life. He never wasted a moment. His two boys were his pride and joy, coaching their sports, supporting their dreams and teaching them everything there was to know about the perfect basketball shot. His love for them was boundless and he never missed a moment to tell them. Their laughter while playing with him was contagious and he would note it as his all-time favorite sound. He leaves them with a legacy of positivity, sense of humor, sportsmanship, and a deep love of family.

Ryan was born and raised in Naperville, Illinois where he began a lifelong love for basketball and the Chicago Bulls. Moving to Lancaster he attended Manheim Township High School where he excelled as a basketball player going on to play basketball for Gettysburg College. It was during this time when Ryan played for the USA Deaf Olympic basketball team winning the gold medal in Rome, Italy in 2001. After working in finance for a time Ryan decided to pursue his doctorate degree in Audiology at Salus University in the hopes of helping those with hearing loss like himself. He met his wife Zoe in 2009 and they married in 2012. She turned him onto camping, hiking, biking and tubing and he turned her on to adventures to Hawaii, boating on Torch Lake in Michigan, and just enjoying life. They were best friends who decided early on to pursue their audiology dreams alongside one another.

He was the proud owner of Red Rose Hearing Center in Lancaster and worked closely with his wife at Resonance Audiology in New Holland. His love for his patients was endless. He was personable and passionate about their care and wanted everyone’s hearing loss and vestibular disorders treated as he would want his own treated. He created a workplace of “positive vibes only”, trust and understanding. He was someone everyone wanted to work with and be around. During his career he served as president of the Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology in 2015.

Ryan is predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Gene and Della Horan and maternal grandfather Dr. G Malcom Cottington.

Ryan is also survived by his grandmother Mrs. Ilene Cottington of Brethren Village, his nieces Juliet and Maya Lamichane, nephew Pierce Lamichane all of Lancaster, many aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws he considered some of his best friends. He also leaves behind his constant canine companions, Penny and Russell.

Ryan led a life of positivity, generosity and love and this gave him an abundance of lifelong friendships. These friends remained close with Ryan through adulthood and carried him to the end of his journey, often driving him to appointments, sitting with him, and reminiscing for hours. His life was so full and he was determined to fill his days with laughter and hard work. It was impossible to have a bad day when you spent it with Ryan. He loved his family, his work, Reese’s peanut butter cups, iced coffee, a great pair of sneakers, Hawaii, an outrageous pair of socks, a perfect lawn and sitting by a fire. He fit a lifetime into forty-three years and never stopped talking about the future. You knew Ryan’s positivity and zest for life with his famous “yeah man!” exclamation.

Our family would like to extend love and gratitude to his neuro oncologist, Dr. Alexandra Miller and Nurse Emily Rowe for their exceptional care at both Memorial Sloan Kettering and NYU Langone. We would also like to thank the oncologists and nurses at Ann B. Barshinger who cared for Ryan as well as the compassionate nurses and doctors at Hospice and Community Care of Mount Joy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11AM on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 601 E. Delp Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601 with The Rev. Daniel Powell and The Rev. Matt Cannon Celebrants. Family and friends will be received from 3PM-7PM on Friday, December 6, 2024, at Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543. The family will be receiving guests Friday at the funeral home only and not prior to mass on Saturday. Interment will be private at Landis Valley Mennonite Cemetery. The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed and will be accessible at www.sjnlancaster.org.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ryan’s memory may be made to the St. John Neumann Catholic School, 601 E. Delp Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601

To celebrate Ryan’s love of colorful and crazy socks we ask all of those attending his service to wear them.

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Condolences to the Family

December 07, 2024

We are neighbors and have never met your family but we sincerely offer our condolences.
Joan and Terry Wimer

December 07, 2024

Dear Zoe and all the Horan Family,
Ryan’s life was a gift to all who knew him. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Kathy Ball

December 06, 2024

My heartfelt condolences and prayers to the Horan family.. I was a classmate of Ryan’s in the audiology program and I will miss him dearly. He was such a positive guy and was always the light of the party with his humor and energy.
Tony Philip

December 05, 2024

Dear Horan Family,
I’m so sorry to hear about Ryan’s passing. I have many fond memories working with Ryan during our hearing support sessions. He was an extraordinary young man. Again, my condolences to the family. Sincerely,
Rena King

December 04, 2024

A wonderful man from a wonderful family. Ryan had a unique competitive zeal for life’s successes. Few handle that with grace and humility. Ryan was one who did. We lost a good one, a true class act.
Mary Beth and I had the honor of helping Ryan look his best when required. He did not need much help.
We will miss you buddy! May god bless your entire family.
The Filling’s

December 04, 2024

Dear Horan Family. We are so so sorry for your loss. He will do wonderful things in his next life!!! Ken/Rhonda Phillips

December 04, 2024

Dear Horan Family:
We too are sadden by the loss of Ryan, and we remain in the army of support for Zoe, Susan, Ray, and the whole family. Blessings to you all. Karen and Mike Mersky

December 03, 2024

My thoughts and prayers are with Dr HORANS FAMILY. May God grant them faith, hope and courage for the days ahead. Dr Horan was always kind and patient with me. His many patients and I will miss him.
Cora Trissler

December 03, 2024

Although my experiences with Ryan were very few, his love for his patients always would shine in his actions. Ryan and Zoe, thank you for your compassion and professionalism with your clients. I am proud to say that I appreciate you both.
Jim Langley

December 03, 2024

Zoe and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Ryan was always positive and compassionate when i was dealing with him. I will miss him. He always spoke positively about you and the boys. May you always cherish the memories you made with him.
Sherry Meyer

December 03, 2024

Dear Horan family,
We were so saddened to hear this news. So many fond memories of the kids growing up and our times together in Buckfield. May your memories of Ryan comfort you in this time. Fondly, Carol & Bruce

December 02, 2024

So saddened to hear this news. Ryan was always such positive energy, I had no idea he was battling this. His work ethic and positivity are admirable. Sending prayers to Zoe, their family, and the staff and patients of Red Rose Hearing. Patrick Lawler & Cognivue

December 02, 2024

Dear Zoe, I’m so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I’ll be making a donation to the school as you requested as well.
Kevin St.Clergy

December 02, 2024

Dr Ryan was an integal part in giving back my hearing, his professionalism and sense of humor made my visits way better. My most sincere thoughts to Zoe and family
RICHARD BRAINE

December 02, 2024

I knew Ryan as my audiologist. Fr. Powell referred me to him. I met him first at This Man is You at SJN. Every visit was like seeing an old friend and I was saddened a few monthw ago when I heard he had a medical condition for which I could not see him personally. Ryan, my life is better because of you. I am forever grateful. God Bless You
Joseph F Voystock

December 01, 2024

Dear Zoe,
We were so sorry to hear of Ryan’s passing. Please accept our sincere condolences and extend them to Ryan’s family. What a loss, but in his short life he touched so many lives and truly made a difference. We only wish we had had the pleasure of meeting him, but we have heard many nice things about him and your family from Emily. We hope all your happy memories of the times you spent together will bring you and your two beautiful sons comfort. I know how much you will miss him. His definitely was a life well lived. We will keep you and all Ryan’s family in our thoughts and prayers. May he rest in peace.
Jeanne and John Noyes

December 01, 2024

The brief time I knew Ryan, I instantly felt the warm compassion and genuine person you all loved. I have profound sadness for his passing and for your wonderful family. I am glad he had this brief time on earth with you. He absolutely had joy and now, continues. My heart is with all of you.
Karen Hunt

December 01, 2024

It was a pleasure having Ryan on our baseball team when he was 12. He was a great pitcher and kid. Gone way to young. Thoughts and prayers with the family.
rick herr

December 01, 2024

I was a patient of Dr. Ryan and am heartbroken thinking of the loss you all are experiencing.
H e was so patient with me as he did everything he could to help me hear and understand.
As I think of Dr. Zoe and their two sons my heart cries out to God to walk with you through your grief and loss.
Sincerely,
Edna Lapp

November 30, 2024

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. What a loss to many. He was always nice to me. I am praying for the family, continued prayers for years to come. Here if you need anything Zoe.

November 29, 2024

It was truly a pleasure to know Dr. Ryan Horan and he will be remembered as a wonderful role model for people with hearing loss. He has left a huge void in his absence, not only with his family, but also the many friends and professional contacts he made over the years. I hope that the knowledge that so many thought so highly of Ryan, and that he was surrounded by so much love, will give some comfort to his loved ones. Sending our deepest condolences. Kamal Elliot

November 29, 2024

To the family of Ryan…..he was a treasure to have as a doctor. I was so saddened to hear of his illness and then of his death. A valiant warrior he was to all. My deepest sympathies go out to his family, wife and sons, his parents and his siblings as well. I live at Woodcrest and always looked forward to my appointments with him.
Peace of the Lord be with you and carry you through the days, months and years ahead.
Peggy J. Hanzelman

November 29, 2024

Dear Ryan and your beautiful family,
I went to graduate school with you at PCO (Salus University). Our small group of future Audiologists was a fun one! Everyday that we were learning we were also having a fun time! You brought so much laughter, joy and positivity to our small group. You were always smiling and and encouraging everyone to do well in our classes and making jokes and just a pleasure to be around. Even though we didn’t keep in touch so much after graduation, I was so happy for you and your beautiful family and to get updated on Fb. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. God bless your sons and wife.
Alisa Ivanutenko

November 29, 2024

Hova,
You’re one of a kind! They don’t make ’em like you! No one is as fun-loving, caring and great to be around, as you. If we were hanging, it was always a good time, didn’t matter what we were up to. The same energy made you an incredible husband, father, businessman and leader. I’m honored to call you a true friend. We lost a legend and the pain will never be gone. We are here for you and the fam, now and always. Love you man! YEAH MAN!!!
Chad Stender

November 29, 2024

Ryan had a true zeal for living life to its fullest. His positivity was contagious and he made those around him better people. I appreciate the time I had with Ryan as a client at the gym and will always treasure that memory. My prayers now are for Zoe and the boys and all the family due to the immense hole this leaves in their lives.
Nate Davis

November 28, 2024

Horan was more than just a teammate; he was a brother. His infectious laughter filled the locker room, and his unwavering positivity was a beacon on our darkest days. He possessed a unique ability to make everyone feel seen and valued, a true testament to his kind and compassionate nature. Off the court, he was a brilliant mind, always eager to discuss the latest theories or debate the finer points of history. His loss has left an irreplaceable void in our hearts, a reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring power of friendship.
Dami Oloruntoba

November 28, 2024

Zoey and family—I am deeply sorry to hear of Ryan’s death. He was a gem and a huge loss to many. My son played basketball with him at MTHS and I later crossed paths with him as an audiologist. I also knew you at A&E Audiology, Zoey. I will keep you in my prayers as you go forward.
Giny Mackey

November 28, 2024

Dear Zoe, Ray, Susan, Sara, Colin & extended family ~ I’m sure right now your deep sadness from the loss of Ryan may seem insurmountable, and I pray that you will find solice in knowing that he is now in the presence of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Take comfort in knowing that we will one day be reunited in eternity together and all of our tears will be wiped away. He no longer suffers the ailments and struggles of this world. This is a temporary parting until we meet again on the other side of this life. I will always remember Ryan’s kind, pleasant demeanor. Hold on to all the good memories we each got to share with him. Love, Sandy Dotter

November 28, 2024

May his memory be a blessing. Condolences to Ryan’s family and friends and all who love him. Ryan was a kind man that I knew through our audiology lives. So sorry for your loss
Leslie B. Papel,Au.D.

November 28, 2024

My thoughts and prayers are with Zoe and Ryan’s family. I was a year behind Ryan at Gettysburg College and have such great memories of him. Ryan was so loved by everyone he met and I am so grateful I knew him. Sending love.
Caroline Scheel

November 28, 2024

Susan and I could not be more proud of our son, Ryan! He was an inspiration to us with his work ethic and his always positive outlook on Life. We will miss him so much and will always think of him daily for the joy he brought us.
We were so lucky he found Zoe and they married. She too is an inspiration with her work ethic and care for Ryan.
Henry and Harrison are terrific and we love every minute that we spend with them.
Sara, Manny, Renae and Colin are awesome!
We are also thankful for Ryan’s many friends and colleagues!
Love Mom and Dad

Visitation: Friday, December 06, 2024; 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM; Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory; 3110 Lititz Pike; Lititz, PA 17543
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Services: Saturday, December 07, 2024; 11:00 AM; St. John Neumann Catholic Church; 601 E. Delp Rd; Lancaster, PA
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