Richard "Panky" Steven Wojno

Richard “Panky” Steven Wojno, 72, of Solon, Iowa, formerly of Bayside, New York, passed away Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha, Iowa after battling cancer. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 6, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Solon. Burial: St. Mary Catholic Cemetery, Solon. Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, Iowa is assisting the family.

Rich was born January 13, 1953, in Flushing, New York, the son of the late Thaddeus and Esther (Ellis) Wojno and brother to Mary Ann Ahrens. He grew up in Bayside, NY, spending his summers working at his uncle’s autobody shop, attending the 1964 World’s Fair, and developing his life-long love for baseball, attending the closing games of both the Polo Grounds and Shea Stadium, and coaching his children at Bayside Little League. He graduated as salutatorian and 2nd Lieutenant from Riverside Military Academy in Georgia and attended Empire College in New York.

He was a die-hard NY Mets fan, even when they broke his heart and he enjoyed fishing the Long Island Sound. Richard was part of NYPD Academy class of 1979, where he met, classmate and future wife, Geraldine (Carroll) Wojno. On May 13, 1983, the couple was united in marriage. He became a decorated police officer and training Sergeant. His passion for anti-crime earned him numerous honors and accolades including the NY Daily News Hero of the Month Award presented by Mayor Ed Koch, before retiring as a Lieutenant in 2001.

In 2006 he relocated to Iowa, where he enjoyed spending time on his hobbies: fishing, golfing, seeing Bob Dylan in concert, and racing a car at the Newton racetrack. Rich was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Lieutenants Benevolent Association, NYPD Pulaski Association, NYPD Honor Legion, 10-13 Association, and Dinosaur Squad.

Rich is survived by his wife, Geraldine Wojno of Solon; son, Christopher (Chandra) Wojno and grandsons, Dominic, Gabriel and Henry Wojno, all of Sutliff, Iowa; daughter, Veronica Wojno (Michael) and grandchildren, Gunnar, Arya, Leanna, and Tatianna Wojno, all of Roseto, Pennsylvania; daughter, Victoria Wojno of Krakow, Poland; son, William (Christine) Doonan and grandchildren Liam and Juliana Doonan, all of East Northport, New York.

Rich was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Dennis Wojno and MaryAnn Ahrens; and brother-in-law, Bill Ahrens.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the entire staff at Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy and Hall-Perrine Cancer Center for their support and care.

Memorials may be directed to Tunnel to Towers Foundation at www.t2t.org.