Rick L. Zache, 56
Jan. 5, 1957-Feb. 12, 2013
Niles Daily Star, Published online 12:09pm Friday, February 15, 2013
Rick L. Zache, 56, of Niles, was called home by his Lord on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013 at The University of Chicago Medical Center.
Rick was born on Jan. 5, 1957 to Arthur and Beverly (Miller) Zache in South Bend, Indiana. He was a proud Brandywine graduate class of 1975. Rick received his BSA from Central Michigan University in Business Management and his EMBA from the University of Notre Dame. Rick was employed at Minute Maid/Coca-Cola where he served as plant superintendent until his retirement in 2012. On Aug. 30, 1986 Rick married Debra Wright at a ceremony in Portage, Mich.
Rick was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who exemplified conviction, courage, loyalty, humility and love even in his final moments. The attributes that will be missed the most are his character, boundless strength and selflessness for his family. His priority in life was spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He is best known for his leadership and coaching in the community. He was an accomplished athlete who, like his daughters Kelli and Kendra, was awarded Athlete of the Year at Brandywine.
Rick excelled in many sports, was a successful businessman, and a dedicated family man.
He was a past member of the Brandywine School Board. He also served countless years as a coach for the Niles Brandywine Girls Softball Association in addition to starting the first travel softball team (Intensity) in the Niles Brandywine district. Rick was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
Rick’s family will always remember the time they spent together; playing family whiffle ball, celebrating holidays, engaging in recreational water sports, and traveling to his daughter’s swimming and softball competitions.
He is preceded in death by his father Arthur Zache Sr. and his brother Gary Zache.
Rick is survived by his wife Debra Zache of Niles, a son Bobby (Leslie) Zache of Niles, three daughters; Amie Zache Kinkade of Mishawaka, Kelli Zache of Niles and Kendra Zache of Niles, his mother Beverly Zache of Niles, five grandchildren; Ben, Aaron and Taylor Kinkade and Riley and Berkley Zache, a brother Arthur Jr. (Judy) Zache of Niles, a sister-in-law Chris Zache Gowen of Niles, and five nephews; Adam, Brian, Mark, Brad and Bruce Zache.
Funeral services to honor Rick’s life will be held on Monday, Feb. 18, 2013 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at 1340 Sycamore Street in Niles with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. A time of visitation will be held at Brown Funeral Home on Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. A private family interment will be held at Silverbrook Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in Rick’s memory to Stem Cell Research or to a Brandywine Scholarship Fund being established in care of Brown Funeral Home.
Those wishing to leave a message for Rick’s family, upload a photo of him or send a letter of condolence may do so on our website at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.