Name: Celebration of Life for Richard Raymond Zane
Start: 2015-01-31T21:00:00.000Z
Location: Eternal Hills Mortuary & Crematory at Eternal Hills Memorial Park

Zane, Richard Raymond VISTA / SAN DIEGO - We are profoundly saddened to report that Richard Raymond Zane passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, January 25, 2015 after a brief illness. He fought valiantly to stay with us. He was, after all, the "Strongest Man on the Beach," so we were hopeful. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Lou J. (Hayward) and Edward R. Zane. He is survived by his loving wife, Becky; his adoring children: daughter, Alison Zane-Pelbath, and son, Michael, and his wife Ewa, his Poppa- loving granddaughter, Sydney Pelbath; his sisters, Letty Zane and her son Chris Johansson and his family, and by Deborah Zane and her son Zachary Hughes and his family. Richard was born at Mercy Hospital on May 12, 1940. He was a third generation San Diegan. He attended Jefferson Elementary School, Roosevelt Junior High and San Diego High School. He was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at San Diego State and made many, some of them life-long, friends. Richard went to work at SDG&E after college where he learned and became a Systems Analyst in the very early, computer development days. He worked as a computer program expert for many years. In 1980, he moved his family to Vista where he was a Vice-President of Programming at Southwest Bank. In 1990, Richard left the banking business and decided to try something else. He went into Real Estate, finally becoming a Mortgage Banker and then seven or eight years later, returned to programming when he was hired by Computer Sciences Corp. and worked until his retirement in 2006. He and Becky enjoyed their retirement and easy way of living until his health problems developed. He will be greatly missed by everyone who loved him. There will be a Celebration of Life at 1 p.m., on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at Eternal Hills Chapel, 1999 South El Camino Real, Oceanside, CA 92054.

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Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Jan. 29, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Zane

Sponsored by Eternal Hills Mortuary & Crematory at Eternal Hills Memorial Park.

19 Entries

February 18, 2015

Perhaps the greatest compliment one man can give to another is, "He was a stand-up guy." Richard was all that: Honest, straight-forward...a man without deception. The first time I met him decades ago, I remember being happy for Becky -- pleased that she was in good hands for life. Richard and I always had a running bet going (a buck a game) on the Padres vs. Diamondbacks. I think I owe you two dollars, my brother. We'll settle up on the other side. Or maybe...just keep the wager going for a couple of centuries as we sip the suds in The Golden Bar & Grille. Your sad friend, Jim. (Linda also sends her best...)Jim and Linda Berlin, Mesa, Arizona

February 8, 2015

Becky and family - my heart goes out to you and your family - many years have past - I often think about the short distance between us and so wish we had kept in touch - love Wynnona 619-479-7995

Debbie Beeckman

February 4, 2015

When I first met Richard, it was immediately evident to me that he was a warm, loving, caring man. It was easy to tell Richard and Becky adored each other. When we were sitting and talking Richard was unable to hear all the conversation but amazingly he could hear every softly spoken word of Becky's. When Jim, myself and Mom went to California for Michael and Ewa's wedding, I also saw what a wonderful father, grandfather and father-in-law he was. I am blessed to have known Richard and to have had him as my brother-in-law. He will be greatly missed. My heart goes out to all of you for your loss. You are and will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Love you all, Debbie Beeckman

Deborah Zane

February 4, 2015

Remembering a Big Brother

Our mother began working full-time when I was five years old. She took me to kindergarten in the morning, then I spent the early afternoon in day care at the school, and then Richard, all of ten years old, brought me home on the back of his bicycle. I became his afternoon task, the kid sister who tagged along. That was the beginning of a sweet sibling association; he watched over me in those early years and it continued until I married and left home.
There are many memories I cherish, and a few come to mind. At our home on Pershing Avenue there was an arbor in the backyard covered by a large vine called Cup of Gold. The huge golden blossoms began as buds in a green pod, filled with sticky fluid. They were the perfect ammunition for mock wars! We would climb up into the vine, hunker down in the branches, and wing the sticky little bombs at each other. Of course he was five years older than I, so much larger and stronger, but he never took advantage of his strength. He understood the spirit of play, and shared that with me. If I could summarize his relationship to me as a young child, it would be “playful” and “protective.”
As I grew older, I continued to tag along with Richard. I was about in Jr. High School when he decided to teach me to skin dive. He loved the ocean, the beach, skin diving, scuba diving, and fishing. He outfitted me with mask, snorkel, fins and wet suit, and took me out to La Jolla Cove to show me what lived beneath the surface of the sea. My girlfriends all had crushes on him, and loved to watch him at the beach, or better yet, spend the night at our house. By the time I was in High School I sometimes dated his fraternity brothers. I went to a few frat parties, drank too much, got sick, threw up, but never felt unsafe because I knew he was nearby. I knew he would watch over me.
Even after I was married, we sometimes spent time together. I remember one morning we headed out to Mission Bay with his fishing boat in tow, launched and picked up bait, then sped out through the channel into the open sea, the morning fog lingering, the glassy water surrounding us. We arrived in the kelp beds off of La Jolla and dropped anchor, loaded up the lines for rock cod, and dropped them. Then we just hung out and waited. Richard stretched out in his deck chair with the Sunday paper and there was no need to talk. That is how I remember him --- quietly enjoying the moment on a gently rocking sea, the morning fog disappearing into the horizon, the sun warming us, and all was well.

The tide that brought him
To this shore
Of which he was so fond
Now carries him home
In spirit and soul
To the deep where we belong.

Farewell Richard, from your kid sister………..

Amy Koschmider

February 3, 2015

Uncle Richard was such a happy go lucky guy, always had a smile on his face, when I went to California with Grandma and Grandpa and whenever he came to Michigan to visit. I remember when my mom was going to California for Uncle Richard and Aunt Becky's wedding and said that she had never seen her sister so happy and in love. He was a great person, my dad loved going out to see them and had lots of great stories when him and my mom came back after staying with them for the MSU Rose bowl in 1987. Uncle Richard will be forever missed, but remembered as the great person he was. May your memories bring you peace throughout this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you and will continue to be. Love you all!

Carolyn Westover

February 2, 2015

What do I remember most, how respected he was, how much he added to our family, how much my sister loved him, how much he loved my sister and his children and his granddaughter. what a successful human being he was.I don't have the words to express our loss. My heart hurts for the whole family. i'm grateful that they all have wonderful memories, that will last a lifetime. Becky, Ali, Tim, Michael,Ewa< Sydney I love you all and my prayers are with you.

Stacie Kain

February 2, 2015

Aunt Becky and family, I wish this Michigan family could be there with you all right now. Uncle Richard was so happy and friendly to me. He was always smiling. I will remember him that way! He was a great father, a great husband, a great human being. May he rest in Peace

Chris Skaff

February 2, 2015

Richard wasn't just my sisters husband he was my brother! He was so smart and never hedged when you asked his opinion or for advice, but he would always take a moment before he spoke to make sure what he said was exactly what he meant. I think one of my fond memory is when I was there in 2007, and Becky and I would go shopping or whatever and when we came back I would walk in and holler to him "Honey I'm Home"....it got to be something I said to him every time we spoke. He was a remarkable Husband, Father, and Brother who will be missed! My heart hurts for Becky, Alli, Michael, Ewa, and Sydney. I'm so glad you have one another to lean on when needed. I love you all so very much!

Carol Westover

February 2, 2015

We are very blessed to have Richard in our family. We were all worried about Becky when she made that long trek to California all those many years ago. When she met Richard and we got to know him we no longer worried and when they wed we all knew she was in good hands as was Richard. If there was ever a match that was meant to be it was the two of them. Together they built a beautiful close knit family that cannot be broken. Richard is very much loved and respected in our family. With a sad heart and a lot of love I'm glad the Zane family has so many great memories that will see them through this very difficult time. I love you all.

Waiting for the sun to set

Chris Skaff

February 2, 2015

On the Pier for breakfast before I had to head back to Michigan

Chris Skaff

February 2, 2015

Taking a few minutes to himself ....

Chris Skaff

February 2, 2015

Gordon Hess

February 1, 2015

Becky and family,
I was glad that Annie and I were able to attend the memorial service yesterday. It was nice to hear the stories and remembrances of Richard from family and friends. While I only knew Richard for a few years before we moved when our daughters were in elementary school, I remember him well. They say that one measure of a person is how they make other people feel. Richard made me feel that I was his friend and that he cared about me and my family. I could not have asked for more. I am glad that I knew him.

Gail Ryan

January 31, 2015

Dear Becky, Alison and Michael, I was saddened to hear of Richard's passing. I remember him with a smile and he always had good words to share with me! Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss!

Brenda Mills

January 31, 2015

Richard dated my mother for a couple of years when I was a child. Even after they stopped dating they remained friends and I've always been grateful for the Zane family in my life. Richard is one of the best people I've ever known.

Deborah Balderrama

January 30, 2015

Becky, I was sad to read the news today. Please accept our deepest sympathy and know we are praying for you and your family.

Patty Asakawa

January 30, 2015

I fondly remember Richard from working together at Computer Sciences Corp. He was such a smart team member able to solve so many of our challenging problems. So sad to hear of his passing.

Larry Tagle

January 29, 2015

Sorry to hear of the passing of brother Dick. We knew each other from San Diego High through San Diego State University and Sigma Alpha Epsilon mens fraternity. My fondest memory was when we won the intermural football title. He was the quarterback and I was his favorite receiver. Phi Alpha bro. I will miss your friendly smile.

January 29, 2015

I will miss his kindness and good heart toward his family and friends and his famous pies! Jan Fleming

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