Richard Henry Zwicker
March 5, 1933 ~ December 9, 2018
Richard Henry Zwicker, 85, passed away peacefully on December 9th at his home in Reston holding his beloved wife’s hand and surrounded by family.
Born March 5th, 1933 at Fort Benning, Georgia, to Ralph Wise Zwicker and Dorothy Stewart Zwicker, Richard was a quintessential Army brat, living in many states throughout the U.S. as well as Germany and Japan. He served a short tour in the Army in the 1950s as part of an anti-aircraft artillery battery defending Long Island, New York from the Red Menace. Richard lived and worked in Atlanta, Georgia and Columbus, Ohio before settling in northern Virginia in 1960 to start his career as a civil servant for the Navy Department of Printing and Publications. He married Danielle Baneyx of Paris, France, in 1965 and although they parted ways twelve years later he and Danielle remained loving friends for the rest of his life. Richard married the love of his life, Mary Erard, formerly of Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1994. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather. Although he had his share of life’s disappointments and challenges, Richard always kept a sunny attitude and never let the world’s troubles keep him down. Even as his health declined his sense of humor didn’t waiver. This past Veteran’s Day, from his hospital bed, he coined what may be the first original “why did the chicken cross the road joke” in 50 years.
Richard is survived by his wife Mary; sons and their wives Steven (Heather), Mark, Brian (Aileen); his daughter-in-law Barbara; his grandchildren Alexa, Caleb, Grace, Gavin, Colleen, Matt and Nick, and his sister Jean. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ralph, and son, Bob.
Richard will be missed most of all for his kindness and wonderful sense of humor which he never lost. He passed on his love for puns and good bad jokes to his son, Steve and grandchildren Alexa and Caleb.
A viewing for Richard will be held at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Avenue West, Vienna Virginia, on December 14th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The funeral will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Springfield Massachusetts the following week.
Richard’s family would like to thank the caring, wonderful staff of Home Helpers, and professionals of Capital Caring, for attending to Richard and Mary and all the support they gave to our family.
Born March 5th, 1933 at Fort Benning, Georgia, to Ralph Wise Zwicker and Dorothy Stewart Zwicker, Richard was a quintessential Army brat, living in many states throughout the U.S. as well as Germany and Japan. He served a short tour in the Army in the 1950s as part of an anti-aircraft artillery battery defending Long Island, New York from the Red Menace. Richard lived and worked in Atlanta, Georgia and Columbus, Ohio before settling in northern Virginia in 1960 to start his career as a civil servant for the Navy Department of Printing and Publications. He married Danielle Baneyx of Paris, France, in 1965 and although they parted ways twelve years later he and Danielle remained loving friends for the rest of his life. Richard married the love of his life, Mary Erard, formerly of Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1994. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather. Although he had his share of life’s disappointments and challenges, Richard always kept a sunny attitude and never let the world’s troubles keep him down. Even as his health declined his sense of humor didn’t waiver. This past Veteran’s Day, from his hospital bed, he coined what may be the first original “why did the chicken cross the road joke” in 50 years.
Richard is survived by his wife Mary; sons and their wives Steven (Heather), Mark, Brian (Aileen); his daughter-in-law Barbara; his grandchildren Alexa, Caleb, Grace, Gavin, Colleen, Matt and Nick, and his sister Jean. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ralph, and son, Bob.
Richard will be missed most of all for his kindness and wonderful sense of humor which he never lost. He passed on his love for puns and good bad jokes to his son, Steve and grandchildren Alexa and Caleb.
A viewing for Richard will be held at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Avenue West, Vienna Virginia, on December 14th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The funeral will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Springfield Massachusetts the following week.
Richard’s family would like to thank the caring, wonderful staff of Home Helpers, and professionals of Capital Caring, for attending to Richard and Mary and all the support they gave to our family.
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