Richard Hanzel

April 17, 1938 – Feb. 17, 2018

Richard 'Dick' Hanzel, 79, of Fremont, formerly of Indianapolis, Indiana, an entrepreneur, executive, philanthropist, mentor, husband, and family genealogist, died Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, at Heritage at Shalimar Gardens in Fremont.

A private family service was held at Gass Haney Funeral Home in Columbus, and later at the Gothic Chapel at Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, where final interment will take place.

Richard D. Hanzel was born April 17, 1938, to Edward S. and Agnes E. (Turek) Hanzel on the family farm north of Dodge. He was the youngest of seven children.

He graduated from Beemer High School in 1955, and earned his Bachelor's Degree from UNL in Accounting & Finance in 1959. As a member of ROTC he attended officer training at Fort Riley, Kansas, and Fort Benning, Georgia. His first assignment was in Hawaii, followed by a year in Japan.

Dick then joined the faculty of the Army Finance School at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis. He married Judith (Judy) Ann Phillips at the Fort's chapel on June 5, 1965. He received his MBA in Management & Administration from Indiana University the following year. His military service was completed in Vietnam in 1967 and he was awarded the Bronze Star.

Dick was employed for six years by Hoosier Tarp & Canvas. In 1974, he left and co-founded Top Value Fabrics, a wholesale supplier for industrial, marine and outer wear, in Carmel, Indiana. He later became sole owner and led the company to prominence.

Known for his friendly and outgoing personality, Dick enjoyed mentoring many individuals throughout his business career and well into retirement. Ever grateful for his success, he established scholarships at UNL and IU to aid students from rural areas.

Dick is survived by his wife, Judy Hanzel and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents sisters, Margaret (Eldon) Janecek, Audrey (Ray) Schulze, and Frances (Nick) Wackel and brothers, John (Betty), Frank (Mary Ann), and Edward (Rose) Hanzel.

Condolences may be sent to www.gasshaney.com.