Brent Ziegler

Richard Brent Ziegler, (Brent), 69, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on October 25, 2025, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He and his beloved wife, Nanci (Hargreaves) Ziegler, celebrated 36 years of marriage this past New Year’s Eve. Born on November 29, 1955, in Souderton, Pennsylvania, Brent was the son of the late Robert M. Ziegler and is survived by his mother, Mary (Reiff) Ziegler.

Above all, Brent cherished his family. He is survived by his wife, Nanci; his son Shane Ziegler, wife Kelly, and granddaughter Quinn of Fort Worth, Texas; and his daughter Katie (Ziegler) Younker and husband Andrew of Nashville, Tennessee. He is also survived by his siblings Brad (Cheri) Ziegler, Bralene (Jeff) Rathgaber, Brooke (Kerrie) Ziegler, and Becky (Bradd) Yoder, and was preceded in death by his sister Bonnie Ziegler.

He graduated from Souderton High School, attended West Chester University, had a career in IT management and retired to the mountains of Western North Carolina. Along the way he formed lifelong friendships to this day and built a life defined by integrity, kindness, and quiet strength—doing the right thing even when no one was watching.

Brent found joy in simple but meaningful things: cycling long distances, hiking in the woods, enjoying Belgian beer, and playing catch in the backyard. He was a teacher in every sense—teaching his kids how to drive a stick shift, manage money, and approach life with gratitude and resilience. He was a peacemaker, a steady presence, and the kind of man who left everything—and everyone—a little better than he found them.

Even in illness, Brent never gave up. He spent his final months visiting with friends, traveling, and celebrating the milestones of his children’s lives—walking his daughter down the aisle and becoming “Pop Pop” to his granddaughter.

Brent’s family and friends will remember his laugh and smile, his unwavering support, his IU and Virginia Tech hats worn with pride, and the small, everyday gestures that spoke volumes about his love.

In his honor, we invite you to carry on the things that made him happiest—go for a ride, walk in nature, enjoy a good meal with a beverage of choice, call your family, be thankful and take time to appreciate life’s simple blessings.

Brent’s legacy lives on through the people he loved and the countless lives he touched. While he isn’t here in body, he lives on in every act of kindness, every laugh shared, and every memory we cherish.

In his own words, he wrote; “My spirit will always be with you. I’ll leave our family signs that I am watching over them. As this chapter of my life comes to an end, I know there is another existence for me. I believe in God and a beautiful afterlife where I will be reunited with those who have gone before me. I know there is a place in God’s kingdom waiting for me and it is glorious.”

Godspeed Brent – we love you.

For family and friends near Pennsylvania, a memorial service will be held Saturday, November 8th, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm at Zion Mennonite Church located at 149 Cherry Lane, Souderton, PA 18964.  For family and friends near our North Carolina home, a local celebration of life will be planned at a later date.