Dick Zukowitz – "Gone West"
Following is sad news of the passing of another member of our Short Wing Family, Dick Zukowitz. The news of Dick’s passing came via email from Ohio Buckeye SWPC member Ralph Gutowski on June 9th along with some comments from our Membership Chair, Eleanor Mills. Follow up information on Dick’s memorial service came through via email from Ralph on June 10th.
Dear Fellow Short Winger:
It is with a real sense of loss that I report that our dear friend and fellow pilot, Dick Zukowitz, made his final flight this morning. There will be a memorial service in the near future to honor his memory and accomplishments. We will let you know the time and place for the memorial service when arrangements have been made. Please keep Nancy, daughter Carol, son-in-law Mark, and granddaughter Sarah in your prayers that they my be comforted.
If you would like to send a condolence to the family, Nancy’s address is:
1035 Enterprise Road
West Alexandria, OH 45381
Ralph Gutowski
Eleanor Mills had this to add:
Dick and his wife, Nancy, joined the club in 1981 and were almost constant presences at our conventions until his health began to fail. His Pacer was the first “grand champion” I can find in our records, winning the prize in 1986 at Waco. The Pacer is still in the club, now owned by Dean Dayton, still in the Ohio chapter.
Bob and I always looked for that Pacer at the conventions because they were nearly always there and were such nice people.
And here is information from Ralph about the memorial service:
Dear Friends:
The arrangements for a memorial service for Dick Zukowitz have been finalized. There will be a visitation on Thursday, June 13th at 10 am followed by a memorial service at 11 am at the St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2139 Enterprise Road, West Alexandria, OH 45381. This location is also known as the Village of Ingomar. Here is a link to a map:
West Alexandria, OH 45381.
ZUKOWITZ, Richard, age 85, of West Alexandria, OH. died Sun. June 9, 2013 at his home. He was born in Clearwater, FL. on Feb. 28, 1928 to John and Caroline (Fischer) Zukowitz. He was a graduate of Wilbur Wright High School. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and served on the U.S.S. Constitution in Boston. Mr. Zukowitz was the owner of Zukowitz IGA stores, first in Dayton and then in West Alexandria for 40 years. He retired in 1988. He was also a private pilot for over 46 years and was a member of the Short Wing Piper Club. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Ingomar, OH. He was also on the Board of Directors for Eaton National Bank & Trust. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Anne Ward. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nancy (Cotterman) Zukowitz, daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Mark McKinley, all of West Alexandria, OH., granddaughter, Sarah (Kevin) Wellwood, Georgetown, MA., brother, Tom (Jan) Zukowitz, Dayton, OH., nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thurs. June 13, 2013 at St. John Lutheran Church with Rev. Laura Cavandish officiating. Friends may call at the church from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Donations may be made in his memory to the church, Vitas Hospice or A.L.S. Society. For condolences: www.lindloffzimmerman.com
