Rick Zakos

"And so it goes...."
Rick Zakos, 79, passed away peacefully, surrounded by love, on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at Hospice Home of Hope.
He was born on October 21, 1944, in Fond du Lac to Richard K. and Delores (Fitzgerald) Zakos. Rick attended St. Patrick's Grade School, St. Mary's Springs Academy (Class of 1962), and UW-Oshkosh. While at UW-O, Rick was President of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity, President of the interfraternity Council, and President of the Political Science Society. He especially enjoyed his time at UW-O with his fraternity brothers. Rick joined the United States Marine Corps in 1963 and served in the Reserves for several years.
Growing up on Rose Avenue, attending St. Pat's and Springs, and living in Fond du Lac, Rick would meet some of his life-long friends, including Jerry Crosby, Joe Brandt, Dick Freund, Don Giese, Dave Pawsat, Mike Pfeiffer, Marilyn Thomas, Jean Kranig Scott, Patty Marchant Holvick, Judy Towne Jennings, Beverly Nedwed Kidder, and later, special friend Sally Stark.
Rick started or was involved with several well-known businesses, including The Rathskeller (1970-1971 with partner Jerry Crosby), Arbuckle's Saloon (1972-2010), the Hippo (1983), and Zake's Steaks (1992-1993). He also worked as a bartender at Theo's restaurant and as a real estate agent with the offices of Coldwell Banker and Adashun Jones.
Rick was a good athlete, lettering in football and basketball in high school, excelling at UW-O intramural sports, running the floor with the noon ballers, swimming, or sitting in the steam room at the YMCA, and playing in the annual "Turkey Bowl" football game on Thanksgiving. He liked watching the Green Bay Packers and local high school sports teams. He was a trove of movie trivia information, a sharp dresser, a fan of winter getaways to Jamaica, and he enjoyed music, jokes, and family gatherings. The world will be a less colorful and a less interesting place without Rick in it.
He is survived by his son Adam Zakos (Sarah Garcia), and grandchildren Ethan and Ava, and by his daughter Neely Fyvie (Greg), and grandchildren Easton and Canon. He is also survived by his sisters Pat Weinke (Steve), Debbie Laudolff (Roger), and Dawn Dahlke (Bart), and his brother Dean Zakos (Claire), and numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, many Fitzgerald, Bashaw, Merz, and Promen cousins, and a crowd of good friends. He is also survived by his former wife, Georgia Voss, the mother of Adam and Neely, who he married on September 27, 1975. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and grandparents.
A very special thank you to Dave Williams for helping out with rides. And a very special thank you also to Rick's dialysis center family, Dr. Bret Pasiuk, Nancy, and all the nurses who took such wonderful care of Rick over the years. He truly loved you all.
Rick wanted everyone to know that if he was not at the funeral home for the beginning of the service to just go ahead and start without him. He said he probably will be at the "Y" and running late.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 5, 2023, from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM, at Zacherl Funeral Home, 875 E Division St, Fond du Lac.
In lieu of flowers, Rick requested that memorials be directed to:
- SSM Health Hospice Home of Hope
- SSM Health Dialysis Center
- Fond du Lac Family YMCA