Richard J. 'Rick Zakrzewski, 84, Hays, died Tuesday, December 24, 2024 at Hays Good Samaritan Society.
He was born November 5, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Gerald and Helen Zakrzewski. He attended Catholic elementary military school where he learned to eat slowly and avoid tapioca pudding. In 1959, he graduated from St. Hedwig High School, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from Wayne State University in 1963, and a Master’s Degree and PhD from the University of Michigan in 1968. In 1969, he joined the Department of Geosciences at Fort Hays State University. Rick was united in marriage to Martha Verklan on August 13, 1966 in Dearborn, Michigan, and they celebrated 58 years of marriage. During his tenure at FHSU, Dr. Z, as his students fondly called him, published more than 65 papers as professor of geosciences and served as chief curator of the Sternberg Museum. He directed more than 30 master’s theses and served on 76 thesis committees. In 2008, he was awarded the Graduate School Lifetime Achievement Award in addition to the Outstanding Thesis Field Study Adviser Award.
Survivors include his wife Martha of Hays, his son, Mark Zakrzewski and wife Randi of San Diego, CA, his daughter, Andrea Stokoe and husband Steve of Eagle, Idaho, and six grandchildren, Alexandra, Lauren, Caroline, Jacob, Colton, and Maverick.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at the Comeau Catholic Campus Center with Fr. Curtis Carlson, OFMCap. officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date in Hagerman, Idaho. Memorials are suggested to the Department of Geosciences at FHSU or to Sternberg Museum. Services are in the care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and condolences and memories of Rick may be left for his family at www.haysmemorial.com