Biography: Richard "Rich" E. Zavrel passed away on April 2, 2025, in Little Rock, Arkansas, at the age of 80. Born on January 5, 1945, to Emil & Adeline Zavrel in Berwyn, Illinois, Rich's life spanned eight remarkable decades. From his early years in Chicago’s West Side, to his later days in Arkansas, he witnessed and experienced a changing world with resilience and quiet strength. Rich grew up on Chicago’s west side and attended a small Czech/American primary school. He also attended Farragut High School and the U of Illinois.
 
Rich joined the US Army 82nd Airborne and served in Vietnam. When his service was over, he joined International Harvester, then Dresser Industries and built a life in Brookfield, IL. In 1982, Rich married Barbara (Barb) Wilber Long and became a dad to Heather and Matthew. He coached sports teams, fished, camped and played softball himself.
 
In 1987 the family moved to Lakeville MN and Rich began work at Skyline Displays, Inc. A few years later, he and a longtime friend bought part of Skyline and created a new company, Skyservice. It was an exciting and successful venture. That following year he and Barbara built a second home in Hot Springs Village, AR and moved to Prior Lake, Mn. In 1999, Rich retired from the business world and after many years of traveling between their two homes, Rich and Barb moved permanently to Hot Springs Village and created an exciting new life.
 
In Hot Springs Village, Rich was active in the Baitcasters fishing group, Balboa Yacht Club, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, the Brotherhood of St Andrew and GOOTH (a village men’s lunch group).
 
Those who knew him will remember his presence and the mark he left on their lives, and his passing is felt deeply by those whose lives he touched. Rich passed suddenly on April 2, 2025, in Little Rock, AR. He is survived by wife Barb and children Heather and son-in-law, Brian, & Matthew and daughter-in-law, Jess.
 
May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him. A Funeral Mass will be held on June 7, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church 199 Barcelona Rd.  Memorials preferred to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, www.holytrinityhsv.org .