Name: Celebration of Life for Richard W. Zander
Start: 2020-03-07T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2020-03-07T23:00:00.000Z
Location: St. Ambrogio Society

Richard W Zander, 88, of Rockford, Illinois, died on February 18, 2020. Arrangements are pending with Julian Poorman Welte.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Rockford Register Star from Feb. 19 to Feb. 20, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Zander

Sponsored by Young Funeral Home and Crematory, LLC - Rockford.

26 Entries

Bob Hoxie

June 2, 2020

Bob and I just heard of Dicks passing and want to extend our deepest condolences to Kathy and his family. He will always be remembered very fondly by us years of doing business together and enjoying his vegetables. RIP Dick you will definitely be missed ❤

cindi nystrom

March 21, 2020

I have thought of Mr.Zander for many years. I was privileged to have him as my 6th grade teacher at Barbour Elementary School back in the 60's. I was new to the school and he made me feel very welcome and not so alone. My best friend Debbie and I surely gave him a run for his money. I think secretly we were his favorites. Later in life I introduced him to my two boys and he was very kind to them. I will never forget Mr. Zander.
Cindi Nystrom (Knell)

Valeri DeCastris

March 10, 2020

Zanders Farm WAS south Rockford and Richard was just the best. My father's family has been on Cunningham Street since the early 1900s and we still live there. The Zander farm was part and parcel of the fabric of south Rockford. We always shopped there and were so glad that they were there on Montague all these years. Richard was a wealth of information and we would talk about plants and gardening, since I am a biologist. He was always truly gracious and one of a kind. I wouldn't have dreamed he was 88 years old, since he was larger than life and seemed full of life and love for the earth. This is such a loss not only for his family, but for our neighborhood. I just can't imagine south Rockford without Zander's. So sorry I had to miss the St. Ambrogio service Sunday...I really wanted to come. Condolences to Kathy and all. May his family carry on his wonderful legacy that was a gift to us all.

Velasquez Family

March 8, 2020

From the family of Felipe and Cuca Velasquez who lived on Morgan St. Our hearts and prayers go out to your family. Our dad Felipe worked multiple years with Dick on the farm and at the produce stand on Montague St. and considered Dick a very good friend and boss who was a very hard working compassionate man with a heart of Gold . Our Dad so loved working on the farm with Dick and I truly believe they are again farming together the fields in heaven. Although he will dearly be missed by all who knew him, he leaves us with such wonderful memories of him .... God Bless your Soul

Margaret Myren

March 8, 2020

Kathy, our hearts are with you! Margaret, Carol, Jen and Bethany in Barrington. What a wonderful man!

James Olson

March 6, 2020

My condolences, very knowledgeable and kind, always helpful, and willing to share information. He will be missed.

Liz Dickinson

March 6, 2020

Dick is a local treasure. He wanted all of us to eat well and provided the wonderful vegetables and plants that added to our life in Rockford. His warmth and kindness were an extra bonus to his produce. Our farmers markets will not be the same. My deep sympathy to Kathy. Liz Dickinson

Ricky Fagerstrom

March 5, 2020

Simply put, he was such a nice guy. I so enjoyed talking with him while buying flowers, vegetables and plants over the years. RIP Mr. Zander

Judy VanHeesch

March 5, 2020

I am so sorry to hear of Dick's passing. What a special person and I always looked forward to chatting with him at the Farmers Market. My condolences Kathy and family.

peter enge

March 5, 2020

My father, Guenther Enge, owned and operated Centerville Greenhouse out on Centerville road and I fondly remember stopping at Dick's place on Montague with my father to drop off or pick up things. Dick was always a gentle giant to me and ran his business just like my father, he treated everyone with respect!

Susie Mckasson

March 5, 2020

He knew to be the best is to give your best. If you didn't handle his product with respect. He wouldn't sell it to you. He love what he did. Good honest man. Hard worker him and Kathy. Sorry for your lost. God be with you Always. Peace and love.
Momaly family Treasure shop.

March 4, 2020

The older brother I never had. The man that was my linch pin. Need I say more?
Kath...you were and are a very lucky person to have shared your life with this extraordinary person. We so miss him, but will live with his spirit and soul daily.

Love you,

Bob and Kay Montgomery

Robert Esparza

March 4, 2020

I worked for Dick when I was 14 at his farm picking corn and at his vegetable stand in Loves Park on the corner of North 2nd St. and Riverside Blvd. He was a great boss and even a better person.

David Pilgrim

February 24, 2020

I remember Dick well. It was my first job. I was in 6th grade and got payed a dollar an hour. He genuinely cared for all of us, young children and young adults, that worked for him. He will be missed by many. God bless Kathy and him.

David Pipitone

February 22, 2020

Dick was a wonderful person who is loved by many . He taught me many things and i am better man because of him.

February 21, 2020

I will miss joking with him about the high price of hostas (elsewhere) at the farmers market. What a nice fella!

Dennis Noegel

February 21, 2020

I worked for Dick in the mid 60's. It was hard work made fun. A wonderful person to be around.
To know Dick made you a better person!

Lisa Sparacino Wilson

February 21, 2020

What a great guy. He always had a smile, a greeting, and usually a lesson in anything you asked him. I can remember going to Zanders since I was a little kid living on Kent street. I'm so sorry for your loss. God rest his soul

EDNA LIGHTHART

February 20, 2020

He was my hero. My heartfelt condolences to you Kathy. Sign me, Edna are you listening

Ray and Loralee Rhodes

February 20, 2020

This is sad news, Dick was a great man, and a pillar in the community. He always greeted everyone with a smile, and had stories to tell. He will be greatly missed. Our hearts are heavy for you Kathy, so sorry for your loss!
Ray and Loralee Rhodes

TIM DOWD

February 20, 2020

DICK WAS A GOOD MAN,

I MET HIM 20 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS JUST STARTING AS A FARMERS MARKET VENDOR.
I WAS JUST STARTING RETAIL OF PERENNIAL PLANTS AND HE WAS ALWAYS PLEASANT AND WOULD OFFER ME ADVISE ON GETTING MY PROPERTY AND GARDENS GOING FOR THE RETAIL OF POTTED AND BARE ROOT PLANTS.
SINCERELY, TIM DOWD

February 20, 2020

WONDERFUL GARDENING FRIEND. HE WILL BE MISSED.

Donald Bondick & Family

February 19, 2020

Dick was like a second father to so many of us. If you lived in south Rockford, one of your first jobs was probably working on Dicks farm. I remember I started picking crops for him at the age of twelve, making seventy-five cents an hour. Everyone had to pull their weight, and Dick instilled a great work ethic and fair play, in every one of us.

Kathy, our hearts ache for You and your family, and friends. May Peace Be In Your Hearts, Minds, and Spirits - Always,

Respectfully,

Marcy Giardono

February 19, 2020

Dick has been married to my sister for over 42 years. He and Kathy together were a huge asset to the Rockford community and beyond. He was the kindest person you would ever know. My heart goes out to my sister Kathy, who devoted her life to him and has been with him longer than she has been alone. Thank you, Dick, for loving my sister and being a great man.

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