Eulogy for Dick Written by Rich Torbeck
Dick loved to play cards and was good at it, loved to talk about what he last read, talk about last movie he saw. I was always impressed by his positive outlook and minimizing his physical problems.
Dick loved flight and went to several Dayton airshows, this was a huge daylong undertaking but he was a trooper and made it easy to bring him along. One year it was extremely hot and humid, Dick didn't do well in that environment but he was not to be deterred. I still remember pushing him into the C5 jumbo cargo plane to avoid the sun. Dick then proceeded to fascinate me with his knowledge of the plan and its capability. Maybe in retrospect he was making sure he shade in the shade w/o knowing it.
The air museum at Wright Patt was one of his favorite places and we would load his van up with kids and go there and again I was surprised at his knowledge and memory of so many different planes. One year he even arranged for our group to go inside a B17-B24 and several fighter planes, what a once in a lifetime event. As I look out from the plane there was Dick with a giant beaming smile.
Dick was an amazing man a good friend and someone who was a model for handling difficult events in life with dignity.
In todays society we are overwhelmed by the media's promotion of athletes, entertainers, and politicians as great examples of success and great sages of our time. It is interesting when you look back closely, or they flounder in life that they really are one dimensional, often lacking the basic fundamentals of being good citizens or parents, or role models for children and young adults.
I have known Dick for 25 years and have come to the conclusion we have a man amongst us who is a role model for us, one who has shown us how to overcome adversity through his faith and inner strength that he has shown for the last 28 years.
Yes Dick Zeinner has been dealt a bad hand but he overcame it, I am not sure I could have rebuilt my life as he did, raise a family, be an active parishioner, and be so involved in his family and friends lives.
In the 80's Dick was living the good life running the family business, married his college sweetheart, and had 3 beautiful children.
In 1987 suffered a horrific injury that left him paralyzed from the neck down.
After a lengthy recovery he went back to college and obtained a master's degree and a CPA license.
Went to work in a CPA firm for many years with his new found skills and talents
Dick then went back and got certified to work with stocks and bonds to broaden his skills.
During this period his goals where providing for family, being a good husband, father and life example for his growing family.
We gather today to pay our respects to Dick Zeinner.
A loving husband & father-doting grandfather-good friend.
Many here today possibly pity Dick, seen by many as a quadriplegic, dealt a bad hand in life.
I am honored to deliver his eulogy, I and others such as his family and close friends see him as an example for success in life. A man of quiet dignity, yet unbending in his faith, love of family, and the strength & spirit to never give up.
Dick never gave up just his body did.
I came to know Dick around 1990 when we moved to Harrison. Our families became intertwined through our children attending school @ STJ. For other friends it was through sports, the swim club, and marching flag core. Dick was always there, it was often a hassle for him to get there but he did it, because being DAD was important to him.
in talking with Kathy and the 3 children: Richard, Jackie & Dan it reinforced my feeling of what a special man Dick was: Kathy mentioned he was all about family, education and being a good provider. As his health declined the last 10+ yrs. he struggled with the inability to be the provider for his growing family and grandchildren.
Richard remembers his dad as a very intelligent man and his thirst for knowledge. Constantly reading books, working on the computer, building computer networks before there was the internet. He was fascinated and inspired by flight. He taught his boys how to built RC airplanes and took them to air shows. Dick even went skydiving after his accident!
Jackie mentioned how her Dad loved natured, being outside watching the grandkids run around playing with the dog. His love and excitement to be with them and share time with them.
Dan told me about how his dad taught him the value of work, doing things right by teaching him to do different projects around the house. dick could no longer physically do them but he showed the children the proper way to do them from growing up working for his dad. Dan said this was an important part of his growing up but also now in his professional life, knowing how to work & doing things right is a key to his success.
As I personally got to know Dick I discovered a man who enjoyed life, being with friends, and very perceptive as he has a good listener.
When Dick lost his:
-LEGS: he reinvented himself as a CPA, now using his intelligence to provide for his family.
-HEARING: he learned to read lips and found other ways to communicate, that big smile was very persuasive.
-SIGHT: he looked for God for vision and guidance.
_MIND: he still radiated love for his wife; his children; and his grandchildren; he never lost this on his life's journey.
HE did everything he could to provide for his family until he reached a point where he physically could no longer care for himself. Now that he is in heaven he can finally watch over his family again.
I think Dick Zeinner is a role model for all of us on how to keep the faith, how to overcome extreme adversity, and the importance of your family being #1. He exemplifies Tenacity!!
I thank him for these lessons in life and cherish the friendship we have had. He mad me a better person by his example of humanity and acceptance of the hand we are dealt. He is a Great Man in my eyes.
Dick and Kathy Zeinner have shown us how to live up to the vow we took on our wedding day: I take thee as my life's partner through good times and the bad, through sickness and health until death do us part.
In closing I think the words of Dr. King are fitting: Free at last; free at last..Thank God almighty I am free at last. The Zeinner Family would like to thank you all for being her today in honor of Dick and for being part of their lives.
Dick loved flight and went to several Dayton airshows, this was a huge daylong undertaking but he was a trooper and made it easy to bring him along. One year it was extremely hot and humid, Dick didn't do well in that environment but he was not to be deterred. I still remember pushing him into the C5 jumbo cargo plane to avoid the sun. Dick then proceeded to fascinate me with his knowledge of the plan and its capability. Maybe in retrospect he was making sure he shade in the shade w/o knowing it.
The air museum at Wright Patt was one of his favorite places and we would load his van up with kids and go there and again I was surprised at his knowledge and memory of so many different planes. One year he even arranged for our group to go inside a B17-B24 and several fighter planes, what a once in a lifetime event. As I look out from the plane there was Dick with a giant beaming smile.
Dick was an amazing man a good friend and someone who was a model for handling difficult events in life with dignity.
In todays society we are overwhelmed by the media's promotion of athletes, entertainers, and politicians as great examples of success and great sages of our time. It is interesting when you look back closely, or they flounder in life that they really are one dimensional, often lacking the basic fundamentals of being good citizens or parents, or role models for children and young adults.
I have known Dick for 25 years and have come to the conclusion we have a man amongst us who is a role model for us, one who has shown us how to overcome adversity through his faith and inner strength that he has shown for the last 28 years.
Yes Dick Zeinner has been dealt a bad hand but he overcame it, I am not sure I could have rebuilt my life as he did, raise a family, be an active parishioner, and be so involved in his family and friends lives.
In the 80's Dick was living the good life running the family business, married his college sweetheart, and had 3 beautiful children.
In 1987 suffered a horrific injury that left him paralyzed from the neck down.
After a lengthy recovery he went back to college and obtained a master's degree and a CPA license.
Went to work in a CPA firm for many years with his new found skills and talents
Dick then went back and got certified to work with stocks and bonds to broaden his skills.
During this period his goals where providing for family, being a good husband, father and life example for his growing family.
We gather today to pay our respects to Dick Zeinner.
A loving husband & father-doting grandfather-good friend.
Many here today possibly pity Dick, seen by many as a quadriplegic, dealt a bad hand in life.
I am honored to deliver his eulogy, I and others such as his family and close friends see him as an example for success in life. A man of quiet dignity, yet unbending in his faith, love of family, and the strength & spirit to never give up.
Dick never gave up just his body did.
I came to know Dick around 1990 when we moved to Harrison. Our families became intertwined through our children attending school @ STJ. For other friends it was through sports, the swim club, and marching flag core. Dick was always there, it was often a hassle for him to get there but he did it, because being DAD was important to him.
in talking with Kathy and the 3 children: Richard, Jackie & Dan it reinforced my feeling of what a special man Dick was: Kathy mentioned he was all about family, education and being a good provider. As his health declined the last 10+ yrs. he struggled with the inability to be the provider for his growing family and grandchildren.
Richard remembers his dad as a very intelligent man and his thirst for knowledge. Constantly reading books, working on the computer, building computer networks before there was the internet. He was fascinated and inspired by flight. He taught his boys how to built RC airplanes and took them to air shows. Dick even went skydiving after his accident!
Jackie mentioned how her Dad loved natured, being outside watching the grandkids run around playing with the dog. His love and excitement to be with them and share time with them.
Dan told me about how his dad taught him the value of work, doing things right by teaching him to do different projects around the house. dick could no longer physically do them but he showed the children the proper way to do them from growing up working for his dad. Dan said this was an important part of his growing up but also now in his professional life, knowing how to work & doing things right is a key to his success.
As I personally got to know Dick I discovered a man who enjoyed life, being with friends, and very perceptive as he has a good listener.
When Dick lost his:
-LEGS: he reinvented himself as a CPA, now using his intelligence to provide for his family.
-HEARING: he learned to read lips and found other ways to communicate, that big smile was very persuasive.
-SIGHT: he looked for God for vision and guidance.
_MIND: he still radiated love for his wife; his children; and his grandchildren; he never lost this on his life's journey.
HE did everything he could to provide for his family until he reached a point where he physically could no longer care for himself. Now that he is in heaven he can finally watch over his family again.
I think Dick Zeinner is a role model for all of us on how to keep the faith, how to overcome extreme adversity, and the importance of your family being #1. He exemplifies Tenacity!!
I thank him for these lessons in life and cherish the friendship we have had. He mad me a better person by his example of humanity and acceptance of the hand we are dealt. He is a Great Man in my eyes.
Dick and Kathy Zeinner have shown us how to live up to the vow we took on our wedding day: I take thee as my life's partner through good times and the bad, through sickness and health until death do us part.
In closing I think the words of Dr. King are fitting: Free at last; free at last..Thank God almighty I am free at last. The Zeinner Family would like to thank you all for being her today in honor of Dick and for being part of their lives.
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