Richard Zecher

Richard Thomas Zecher, age 88, of Hendersonville, NC, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2025. Born on September 4, 1936 in New Jersey, Richard was the youngest of three children born to John E. and Bessie Delamater Zecher, and brother to John and Grace.

After growing up in a small town in south New Jersey, he and his late wife, Jane, met on a blind date, and he proposed that very day. They would go on to have four children - Jennifer, Kevin, Susan, and Jamie. The family always had a spirit of adventure - camping in a big heavy canvas tent that always managed to leak in the rain, exploring the historic sites of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Batsto, and Washington's Crossing, and Independence Hall, or running through the sand dunes at Island Beach, or picking peaches at Larchmont Farms. The family later settled in beautiful Hendersonville, NC, in 1974.

After retiring from a long career in sales of industrial pipe, valves and fittings, which took him from DuPont in Brevard to the old textile mills across the Piedmont, he continued to volunteer at his church, Saint John in the Wilderness. He had many stories of staying up all night on Halloween in the historic cemetery to deter trespassers. He also worked with the Flat Rock Back Pack Program and acted as a guide at The Cradle of Forestry, which he absolutely loved.

Even after a major heart bypass and valve replacement over ten years ago, he always remained active - in fact at the age of 82, he climbed all the steps up to the top of Chimney Rock - no elevator for him! As he got weaker, he'd still get out as much as possible - he loved going to Grandad's Apples for apple cider, doughnuts, and apple pie, and hanging out with his car friends and farmer buddies in the Denver area.

A man of character and kindness, Richard will be remembered for his cheerfulness, his storytelling, his never-met-a-stranger attitude, and the way he gave to others.

Richard is survived by his children, Jennifer Dunbar of Kannapolis, NC, Susan Ray (Alan) of Brookville, IN, and James Zecher of Maiden, NC; his grandchildren, Nick Zecher (Danielle) of Hendersonville, NC, and Jessica Phillips (Karl) of Huntersville, NC; and one great-grandchild, Emilia Phillips, who brought him endless pride and joy. He also leaves behind a wide circle of friends and extended family who will deeply miss him.

Preceding him in death were his wife of 56 years, Frances Jane Zecher, and his son, Kevin Zecher.

A celebration of Richard's life will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Saint John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church in Flat Rock, NC. Flowers may be sent to the church through The Cottage Florist (828.674.3742; https://www.thecottageflorist.net/ ) or in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard's honor to Safelight (https://safelightfamily.org/ ), Flat Rock Back Pack Program (https://www.stjohnflatrock.org/backpack-program), or Foothills Golden Retriever Rescue (https://www.fhgrr.com/).

Richard's legacy of generosity, love, kindness, and laughter will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know him.