Richard
In Memory of
Richard "Rich" Z.
Zielony
1950 - 2015
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Obituary for Richard "Rich" Z. Zielony

Richard "Rich" Z.  Zielony
Richard Zbigniew Zielony was born in Tetbury, England on July 18, 1950 to Agnieszka (née Lopuszynski) and Franciszek Zielony, survivors of Soviet labor camps during WWII. In December 1951, the family of three moved to Vancouver, Wash. thanks to the sponsorship of Agnieszka’s brother-in-law, an American G.I.

Known for his intelligence, love of learning, and athleticism, Rich was always eager to talk politics, history, and sports. He was a star track athlete and football player at Jesuit High School in Portland, Ore. where he led his team to a state championship. Recruited by several of the top collegiate football programs, Rich chose to play for the Fighting Irish in South Bend, Ind.

After earning his degree in political science, Rich worked as a teacher and football coach at Jesuit and then at Marian High School in Imperial Beach, Calif. He earned a Masters in History from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Ore., and a Masters in Education Administration from San Diego State University in San Diego, Calif. He then went on to work in financial planning and insurance.

In addition to Notre Dame football, Rich loved the Raiders, teaching, coaching, traveling, Crater Lake, and especially his family. Rich passed on his strong work ethic and the old adage that “Anything worth doing is worth doing well” to his daughters. He called the girls “kiddos,” enthusiastically attended every sporting event and school function, and gave them big hugs and little head scratches to show his pride.

Rich is survived by one sister, Ann Munson; four daughters, Amanda Zielony-Smith, Maren Schultz, Kristen Ashurex, and Kathryn Zielony; and four grandsons, Henry Smith, James Schultz, and Jackson and Noah Ashurex.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Polish Library Building Association.

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