Mr. Richard Michael Zahorchak (90), beloved son, brother, father, uncle, and grandfather, died on Thursday, March 11, 2021. He was born in Duquesne, PA in 1930, son of the late John and Anna Zahorchak, who were both from Czechoslovakia and naturalized to the U.S. within a few years of each other. Richard was the youngest of nine children. His predeceased siblings included brothers: Michael, Joseph, and Stephen Zahorchak and sisters: Anna Mihacs and Mary Vrabel. Sadly, three of the siblings died at a young age; two brothers named John and a sister, Veronica.
Richard spent the early part of his life in Pennsylvania and then enlisted in the Navy, serving aboard the USS Helena from 1951-1955, during the Korean War. After he was honorably discharged from the Navy, he came to California and attended Long Beach City College from 1956-1958 and then Los Angeles State College from 1959-1961, during which time, he was married (1960) and started a family. He also served in the Air Force Reserve from 1973-1977. He retired in 1991 as an Industrial Property Management Specialist after working for 24 years with the Department of Defense. He lived in various areas of California, however, spent the last two decades in Hemet. He loved to travel and socialize and was a member of several local, charitable and support organizations, such as the VFW, the American Legion, the Elks, and the Moose.
Richard is survived by his three daughters: Jolene Babcock, Deanna Amen, and Jennifer Athans; six grandchildren: Teric, Brianna, Brielle, Colette, Alexia, and Cassandra; One, step-grandchild: Allison and two, step-great grandchildren: Roxy and Malakai; As well as numerous, beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws, and his former spouse, Carmalene (div. 1978).
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