Wayne Anthony Zeck, 77
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 12 years, 8 months AGO
Wayne Anthony Zeck, 77, of Dalton Gardens, passed away April 7, 2013, in Coeur d'Alene, following complications from heart surgery.
Wayne was born Aug. 13, 1935, in Avalon on Catalina Island to Edward and Kathleen Zeck. He spent his early life in Ventura, Calif.
Wayne enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1953 and served until 1955 in Korea during the war and following armistice. He was very proud of his military service. Recognized for his leadership abilities, Wayne was offered a candidacy at the USMC Officer Candidate School but chose to pursue family and education in civilian life instead.
He returned to Ventura, where he married Marilyn Feyma in 1956. The couple welcomed their first child in 1957 and balanced family and work while Wayne pursued a college degree.
Upon graduation Wayne worked in Dorris and Santa Cruz, Calif., as a physics and mathematics teacher. In 1967 the family moved to Wasilla, Alaska, where Wayne taught mathematics. He later served as principal and teacher in Talkeetna, Alaska. An avid snowmobiler, Wayne loved to explore the open territory in Alaska and competed in snowmobile races.
A longtime lover of Geology, Wayne returned to California in 1977 to earn a Ph.D. in geology at UCLA. After completing the program he worked in Anchorage, Alaska, in oil field exploration and management for ARCO Oil Company. He was transferred to Plano, Texas, where he retired from ARCO in 1995.
Wayne returned to teaching in 2003, at Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy. He taught math and science at the academy until his retirement in 2011, at age 75.
Wayne was always dedicated to developing his mind. He learned continually throughout his life, earning several degrees and attending a variety of colleges in Alaska, California, Oregon, Wisconsin and Idaho.
Wayne is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marilyn; three daughters, Sheryl Kepler, Stephanie Zeck and Stacey Boles; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Maurice Zeck and sisters, Mary Lou Fox, Loree Foster and Teresa Tucker. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Virgil and Donald Zeck.
Wayne will be remembered for his great mind, warm heart and sense of humor. His love of knowledge was expressed in his teaching, where he spent time tutoring and mentoring students beyond the school day. Not one to simply give a man a fish, he taught students and his grandchildren to fish for knowledge and expand their understanding and appreciation for life.
His life will be celebrated at a private Mass at St. Pius X Catholic Church. He will be laid to rest with military honors at the St. Pius X Columbarium in Coeur d'Alene.
Services have been entrusted to English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d'Alene. Please visit Wayne's online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.