Richard Louis Ziegler
Richard Louis Ziegler, “Dickie,” age 74, died peacefully at home in Raleigh, NC on December 8, 2021 from a rare form of cancer. He was surrounded by his wife, two daughters and brother.
Richard was born in Fern Creek, Kentucky on Christmas Day, 1946 to Charles and Mary Agnes Ziegler. “Happy Hollow” was his first home where he and his three siblings lived on a small dairy farm. It was there where he learned the value of hard work and treating others right. His parents passed away in 1958, and two years later he moved to live with an aunt and uncle in Belleville, NJ. There he attended high school and became a record-setting member of the cross country team. His running ability afforded him a track scholarship to Western Kentucky University and allowed him to return to his strong Kentucky roots. At WKU, he was a member of the cross country team and founding member of the SAE fraternity. While there, Richard created the annual football run which will now be known as the SAE Richard Ziegler Spirit/Philanthropy Run.
Following college graduation, he enlisted in Aviation Officers Candidate School of the US Navy. After an honorable discharge from the Navy, Richard moved to Ft. Lauderdale, FL where he met the love of his life and twinkle in his eye, Kathy. They shared an amazingly true love story each and every day for 49 years.
His long standing business career in Atlanta, GA was with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, where he was one of their top producing agents nationally. Retiring at age 60 to the mountains of Big Canoe, GA, Richard was an avid golfer and became the President of the Men’s Golf Association for several years.
Richard was larger than life! He never met a stranger and would light up a room with his laughter. He was a magnetic guy with whom everyone wanted to be associated. He lived each day to the fullest and believed that you should never take yourself too seriously. Richard’s proudest accomplishments were raising his two daughters, Jessica and Lexie. He loved them beyond measure and never missed a swim meet, a school performance or a football game at which they cheered. He became known to many as “Papa Zig” because he was everyone’s dad at all the school events.
Richard resided in Raleigh, NC, and he is survived by his wife, Kathy Ziegler; his daughter, Jessica Ziegler Newth and husband Ryan and their two children Mary Agnes and Robert; his daughter, Lexie Ziegler Batchelor and her husband Wesley and their two children Bailey and Burnie; his sister, Susanne Ziegler Jeffress and husband Philip; brothers, Charles Lawrence Ziegler and wife Lucille and Keith Ernst Ziegler and wife Lisa; plus many loving nieces and nephews. He loved our family reunions and taught us all how to enjoy life and make the most of the time we had together.
A celebration of Richard’s life will be held at the Big Canoe Chapel on Saturday, January 22, 2022, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Duke Raleigh Cancer Center in Raleigh, NC or your favorite charity.