Richard Chester Zellner, 64, of 130 State Street, North Haven, passed away Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at the Hospital of St. Raphael. He was the husband of Nancy J. Wiggins Zellner. Born in Harrisburg, PA on August 19, 1947; son of the late Chester and Eleanor Kohler Zellner. Richard was a resident of Milford for many years until moving to North Haven in 2005; he served his country faithfully in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam war; he attended Paier School of Arts & Photography for three years and had worked as a Chief Aviation Photographer for Sikorsky Aircraft for 32 years until his retirement in 2007. Richard was a member of the Masons; the Golden Wings Sikorsky Retirement Club; the American Legion and the Nikonians Professional Photographers Association. Richard was a world recognized aviation photographer; had dozens of cover photographs in international and domestic aviation publications. He won Aviation Week and Space Technologies Magazines first ever photo contest as “Best-of-the-Best†and several of the contests in the subsequent years. Richard accomplished everything he set out to do in life! Father of Travis Richard Zellner and his wife Pamela of Uxbridge, MA and Scott Richard Zellner and his wife Julie of Wallingford. Grandfather of Miia Eleanor Zellner, James Johnson Zellner, Richard Joseph Zellner, Joseph Austin Zellner and Sarah Ann Zellner.
Family and friends may call at the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, Friday morning from 9:00 to 11:00. Military honors and a Remembrance of Richard’s Life will be conducted at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 733 Third Ave., 3rd Floor, N.Y., N.Y. 10017. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family.
Nancy, while it has been years since we have talked I will always remember both you and Rich. You and your famaly are in our hearts and prayers.
Bill & Nancy Parker
Nancy,
My prayers are with you. I’m so sad to here of Richards passing, May God comfort you during this sad time.
We are deeply saddened by the news of Richard’s passing. He will be missed. Rest in peace.
Nancy, Scott & Travis, our hearts are with you and your family today. We lost a truely amazing man. Rich made us laugh, he made us cry, he made us laugh so hard we cried. He was a true friend, coworker, mentor, & pal. He left us with a life lesson… to live life to the fullest. He will live in our hearts forever.
He will always be in our hearts forever. He has been a wonderful Father and Grandfather for his entire family. May God bless his soul and have him rest in peace.
Yours and Nancy’s friendship has meant so much to us over the years..Such wonderful memories we will cherish..We loved your cooking and the fun times at the lake….Your will be missed soooo much !!!
Nancy, So sad to hear of Rich’s passing. I’ll always remember his smiling face and good humor walking down the halls of Jonathan Law. He will be missed.
You saw in people what others could not, and took time for them when others would not. Thank you for taking the time to extend a hand when you did. Your work has made a lasting impression on countless lives. God bless you.
Dear Nancy and Zellner Family, we are so sorry for your loss we loved Richard and he will be missed by us all. Richard was the kind of guy who made everyone feel happy inside with all his humor. He will be one of the gods angles now. with our deepest sympathy and all our love.
Dear Travis, Pam and children,
My deepest sympthany on the loss of your father and grandfather. My thoughts are with you all at this time.
warmly,
Karen Airhart
Rich was a great guy, in every way. Fun and funny, terrifically talented, and always willing to help. I worked with him for 30+ years at Sikorsky, we flew together, with Rich hanging out the door of the helicopter to get that perfect shot – which he always did! Rich, there aren’t enough like you in this world. We will miss you.
Our condolences to all. May his memory live on in all you do.
God Bless you Rich! Thanks for the memories, assists and friendship. You will be greatly missed but never forgotten!
My thoughts and prayers are with Rich’s family. We had many laughs and adventures together at Sikorsky and I will surely miss him.
I have very fond memories of Rich throughout our HS days. I remember him as a terrific, fun-loving guy, and I know he went on to be a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. I am very impressed to learn of Rich’s great success in his professional life. … My sincere condolences to all of his family and friends.
Nancy,
We are so sorry. You and your family are in our hearts and prayers.
Bill & Nancy(Ragone) Parker
I am so sorry to hear of Rich’s passing. I too remember Lenox Avenue School and still have the yearbook! My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. May the good years you all shared together help you through this difficult time.
Dear Travis, Pam and children,
My deepest sympthany on the loss of your father and grandfather. My thoughts are with you all at this time.
warmly,
Karen Airhart
Love & prayers to you.
I have many fond memories of Rich and I talking about photography, the difference was that I always wanted to trun professional and he did it. Since moving to the D.C. area I have missed our conversations and comparing techniques, etc. My thoughts and prayers are with you all, I will miss him and his spirit of adventure.
Richard will be greatly missed by all! I have wonderful memories working with him at Sikorsky Aircraft. His sense of humor always brightened everyone’s day. Rest in Peace Richard!!
The JLHS class of “65” will never ever forget what a great guy Rich was. Not a day of school ever went by where he didn’t have a smile on his face. He just loved life, and lived a beautiful one. His memory will certainly live on.
Always a friend,he will be missied by one and all.
Nancy,
We haven’t see or spoken to either one of you for many years. That doesn’t mean that Nancy (Ragone) and I have not thought of you both many times over. Our hearts and prayers are with you and your family.
I still have our Lenox Ave and Joanthan Law school yearbooks. I will never forget you or Rich.
Bill & Nancy(Ragone) Parker
“Fifty Years of Friendship” – You and Nancy and Marge and I – May your heart forever beat in our hearts.
High school suddenly does not seem so long ago. May the love in your hearts carry you along……………………
Nancy, I am so shocked to hear about Rich, my prayers go out to you and your family. May God Bless you all.
Nancy, Scott, Julie, Travis and Pam, With heavy hearts we send our deepest sympathy. Richard was such a loving and generous man. May you all find comfort in your warm family memories. Our condolences, Kim and Mark
I am so sorry to hear of Rich’s passing. I also remember the days at Lenox Avenue and still have our yearbook. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May all the good years you shared help you through this difficult time.
Nancy I was so sorry to hear of Richards passing. The last time we met we were in Costco in Milford and you were on your way to Maine. You seemed so happy and that is the way I will remember Richard, a happy man. My sincere sympathy.
I am so sorry for your loss. I saw the obituary and recognized the name immediately. My dad, Pete Montini, worked with Rich at Sikorsky for years and I remembered the name. My mom sends her condolences as well. Melissa Montini Cook
You are responsible for my love of Sikorsky Aircraft.
Never forget you and the contribution you gave to the world of photography.
Dear Nancy..I was truly sorry to hear of Richard’s passing..My sincere condolences to you and your family…
Dear Nancy and family. I’ve not seen your beloved Rich since my Sikorsky days. He was an extraordinary man and we had many a good time, including the old VW days with Rich and his dad. In this most sad of times may his gentle soul forever rest in our Lord’s hand and bring you all peace.
I worked with Richie at Sikorsky Aircraft in the graphic design department for about ten years. He was a very talented, terrific, and fun loving guy. I remember when he turned forty and we decorated his office to surprise him when he arrived the next morning… Please know that I am very sorry to learn of his untimely passing. My thoughts and prayers go to his family and loved ones.