Richard Eugene Zach
July 22, 1929 - February 24, 2015
Obituary
Zach, Richard E.
FITCHBURG-Richard E. Zach, age 85, of Fitchburg, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015, at Agrace HospiceCare. He was born on July 22, 1929, in Madison, the son of Vincent and Olive (Diebold) Zach. Richard married Elinor Kelsey, on May 14, 1955, in Delavan. He was a 1952 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Mechanical Engineer program. Richard served as the chief engineer in the Planning and Construction Department at UW-Madison for 31 years. While obtaining his master's degree, he taught classes for the Mechanical Engineering program at UW-Madison. Richard was a 60 year member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). He loved gardening, prairie restoration, antique trains and cars, and was a 40 year perpetual constructor of "The house that Zach built." Richard is survived by his wife, Elinor of Fitchburg; children, Lorna (Edward Bilek) Zach of Mt. Horeb, Rudolph "Rudy" Zach of Fitchburg, Randolph Zach of Qatar, Kristina (Christopher Legel) Zach of Thomson, Ill.; 11 grandchildren, Forrest and Kelsey Bilek, Forrest and Porter Zach, Emily Legel, Indigo Zach, Pippin Legel, Geneva Zach, Elise Legel, Leo Zach and Eli Legel; sisters-in-law, Julie Zach and Susan Zach; and numerous other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Theodore in 1999; and brothers, James and Raymond. A celebration of life will be held at the GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL HOME, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, at 11 a.m., on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, with the Rev. Jason Mahnke presiding. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday. A private family burial was held at Oak Hall Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Fitchburg
Funeral & Cremation Care
2950 Chapel Valley Road
(608)442-5002
Events
Visitation
Tue May 5, 2015 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Fitchburg • 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711
Celebration of Life
Tue May 5, 2015 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Fitchburg • 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711
Photos
No photos of Richard have been shared yet.
Memories
RT
Ron Thomas
Other •
I Will always remember my association with Dick on matters pertaing to the UW !
May he always be remembered for his dedication to the University !
With utmost condolences and respect,
Ron Thomas
AO
Ann O'Brien
Other •
Elinor, you have been such a good friend. My sympathy to you and your family.
Ann O'Brien
JM
James McMahon
Other •
James McMahon
My association with Dick extended over a 25 year period while he worked for UW-Planning and Construction and I worked at the Department of Administration Bureau of Engineering and Energy Management. One of my jobs was to review agency requests to fund mechanical and energy conservation projects and projects that provided major maintenance of these systems. Whenever I had questions on these requests, I knew that Dick was the "go to" person on campus to answer them. I was always amazed that when I'd walk into Dick's office to meet with him his desk top, desk drawers, table top and filing cabinet were piled high was letters, reports, and requests and yet when I'd ask him a question about a particular project, he could reach into a pile and pull it out. Truly amazing. Sure we had our differences about the value of some requests, but Dick was always a professional, never raised his voice, and was a great ambassador for the University.
LZ
Lynn (Bainbridge) Zick
Other •
Lorna,
So sorry to hear of your dad's passing! I have missed being in contact with you all of these years - I think that the last time we talked was right before you went to New Zealand. We have many years to catch up on, my dear Kendall Avenue roommate!
Lynn (Bainbridge) Zick