Richard Dean Zweig

Rich was born in Rochester, New York and graduated from Irondequoit High School in 1969. He attended the University of Pennsylvania on a full ride scholarship for wrestling, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1973. Ever the adventurer, Rich moved across the country to California after college, where he began his career in environmental waste management. He completed his Master of Science in Environmental Management in 1985, and was promoted to General Manager of the Pacific North West while working for Chemical Waste Management.

All throughout his life, Rich had a deep love for animals – he was often found riding and caring for his horses, and was always surrounded by his many cats and dogs. Rich also competed in many rodeos, winning multiple events in bulldogging and cattle roping. His rodeo skills, in balance with his career in science, earned him the moniker of “the chemical cowboy” among friends.

In 1993, Rich met Julie Anne Hannah while white water rafting in Northern California. Rich and Julie were married on July 8th, 1995 and settled in Scholls, Oregon where they raised three children: Hannah, Jacob, and Aaron. Rich enjoyed an early retirement in 2006, and would often spend time with his children through athletics, coaching them in all the sports they played.

Richard was preceded in death by his brother Gary Zweig and is survived by his three children (Hannah, Jacob, and Aaron), his ex-wife Julie Zweig, his sister-in-law Susan Zweig, his nephews Eric, Jeffery, and David Zweig and their families. Rich led a storied and colorful life, and will be dearly missed by many.

The memorial service will be held on January 28th, 2023; please contact the family if you would like to attend.