Leonard Zych

Leonard P. Zych Colonel, US Air Force (Ret.)

Died peaceful at his home in Schertz, TX on May 2, 2021 at the age of 86. He was a highly decorated officer in the United States Air Force and served as commander of the 3546th Recruiting Squadron, the 3785th Field Training Wing and the San Antonio Real Property Maintenance Agency. He was a skilled navigator who flew on AC 130 gunship missions providing protective cover during the evacuation of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War.

Known for his keen intellect, Len earned multiple degrees throughout his life, most notably a Bachelor of Arts from Ivy League Brown University and a Master of Science in Education. Additionally, he graduated from the in-residence Air Command and Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

After an illustrious thirty-year career in the Air Force he put to use his background in education and training to become the training director at two multi-million dollar companies in San Antonio, Texas. Seven years later having fulfilled his goals in corporate America, he returned to his love of teaching math. He taught seventh and eighth-grade math at St. George Episcopal School and advanced to become the Headmaster.

He was a fierce believer in creating more than he consumed and it was abundantly evident in the volunteer work he performed. He spread his time and skills volunteering between civilian, military and religious organizations. Volunteering for the Executive Services Corps of San Antonio he gave his senior-level corporate executive experience to help nonprofit agencies in strategic planning and leadership development. Volunteering for military organizations was his second nature. As a volunteer, he served as Deputy Director and then Director at the Randolph AFB Retiree Activities Office for a decade. A faithful servant to God, he volunteered throughout his life for the Catholic Church as a Lector and Director of Altar Servers. He also invested time in the Catholic Men’s Group and provided expertise in the annual budget.

On top of his service to country, community and God, Len was also a loving husband and father of the six urchins. He will be affectionately remembered for his barbeque bonuses, family bike rides, special handshakes, tiddlies, ‘hands up’ rollercoaster rides, generous wine pours, math tricks, magic V’s and racquetball prowess. He was also known for his fashion “don’ts” including mowing the lawn in his dress socks and Bermuda shorts, looking for tornados in the front yard dressed in his pajamas, and musical socks that went off during Christmas Mass. Forward Hooooooooo Len!

Len was born on December 27, 1934 in New Bedford, Massachusetts to parents Joseph and Ethel. He was the elder of two sons and is survived by his brother Russell; his loving wife of 60 years Regina (Jean) Zych; his 6 children: Patrick Zych and wife Oralia, Donna Mortensen and husband David, Christine Fortier and husband Collin, Jennifer Galvan, Katherine LaPierre, David Zych and his wife Laura. He is also survived by 7 grandchildren: Brian Galvan, Shawn Galvan, Connor Fortier, Liam Fortier, Megan Mortensen, Tyler Mortensen and James Zych; and 3 great grandchildren. He possessed a keen intelligence, a distinguished ability to listen and mischievous sense of humor only given away by a twinkle in beautiful blue eyes. He leaves behind a legacy of honor and fidelity to God, country, Community and Family.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 6, 2021 at Schertz Funeral Home from 5 – 7pm followed by a Rosary at 7pm. The Funeral Mass will be held Friday, May 7th, at Chapel 1 Randolph AFB at 12noon. A private interment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery.

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