Richard Hanzel

Richard (Dick) D. Hanzel, entrepreneur, executive, philanthropist, mentor, husband and family genealogist, died in Fremont, Nebraska on Saturday, February 17, 2018 of congestive heart failure. He was 79 years old.

Born to Edward S. and Agnes E. (Turek) Hanzel on the family farm in rural Cuming County outside of Dodge, Nebraska on April 17, 1938, Dick was the youngest of seven children. As a second-generation American, he was proud of his Czech Bohemian roots, being born on the land his immigrant grandfather first homesteaded in the 1860s.

Dick graduated from Beemer High School in 1955 and went on to study at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting & Finance in 1959. As a member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), he was also commissioned with distinction as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army upon graduation.

Following his commissioning as an Army officer, Dick completed Infantry Officer and Airborne Officer training courses at Fort Riley, Kansas and Fort Benning, Georgia before receiving his first assignment as Infantry Platoon Leader in the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Oahu, Hawaii. In 1961 he was reassigned to the Office of Controller, Pacific Operations in Zama, Japan and later that year to the U.S. Army Finance office in Yokohama, Japan. He returned stateside in mid-1962 to join the faculty of the U.S. Army Finance School at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Indiana.

While teaching at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Dick was introduced to Judith (Judy) Ann Phillips of Kokomo, Indiana, and they were married in the chapel at Fort Benjamin Harrison on June 5, 1965. Subsequently, Dick received his MBA in Management & Administration from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in 1966. He completed his military service in Vietnam in 1967 as a Major in the U.S. Army and Commanding Officer of the 33rd Finance Detachment, Saigon. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.

Dick joined Hoosier Tarpaulin & Canvas Goods Co. in Indianapolis in 1968 where he held the positions of Controller, Executive Vice President, and Member of the Board during his 6-year tenure with the company. In 1974 he left Hoosier Tarpaulin to co-found Top Value Fabrics, a wholesale supplier of fabrics for industrial, marine, and active outerwear uses, in Carmel, Indiana. He would later become sole owner of Top Value and lead the company to ever- greater success until he sold the company to its employees under an employee stock ownership plan in 2010.

Dick was known for his friendly and outgoing personality. He would routinely introduce himself and strike up conversations with complete strangers. He enjoyed mentoring relationships, and maintained contact with many individuals he mentored throughout his business career well into retirement.

Dick was grateful for all that he was able to accomplish and generously shared his success by establishing Richard D. Hanzel Scholarship Funds in finance and accounting at the University of Nebraska and the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University to aid students from rural areas in pursuing a higher education.

Dick is survived by his wife Judy Hanzel and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Agnes Hanzel, sisters Margaret Janecek (Eldon), Audrey Schulze (Ray), and Frances Wackel (Nicholas); and brothers John (Betty), Frank (Mary Ann), and Edward (Rose).

Memorial services will be in Columbus, Nebraska on Saturday, February 24th and in Indianapolis at the Gothic Chapel at Crown Hill Cemetery on Wednesday, February 28th with visitation at 10 am followed by the service at 11 am. Final interment will be at Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Indianapolis Zoo or a charity of your choice.