CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Bernard Clarence Zecha, 92, passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 21, 2021 in Cheyenne, Wyo. Bernie was born April 9, 1929 in Ellinwood, Kan. to Emil and Mary (Kinzel) Zecha. Bernie graduated from Great Bend High School; then deciding to take a year off, worked at local car dealership. He along with three buddies decided at age 19 to enlist in the Navy to avoid being drafted. Bernie served four years, the first in California hospital as a nurse’s assistant on a cancer ward in order to learn patient care which was emotionally challenging. He served the remaining three years on a Navy Medical ship during the Korean War.
Following his Naval Service, Bernie received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Kansas State University in 1959. Following graduation, Bernie went to work for a Veterinarian in Marion, S.D. where he eventually met and married Anita Mae Murphy May 9, 1961. The couple had three daughters. To further his education, Bernie moved the family to Ithica, N.Y. where he earned a Master’s degree in Epidemiology from Cornell University.
Bernie then moved his family to Petaluma, Calif. where he worked in a research lab for USDA with turkeys and pig. Then moved again to Alpine, Calif. where he studied exotic bird diseases. The family moved to Denver, Colo. in 1977 then to Cheyenne, Wyo. in 1981 where Bernie was Regional Manager for the USDA working mainly with livestock. In 1985 Bernie and Anita moved to Des Moines, Iowa to continue his work with the USDA.
Bernie retired in the fall of 1990 moving back to Cheyenne to be close to their grandchildren. Bernie, not wanting grass to grow under his feet began a second career driving cars for Enterprise Rent-a-Car. This lasted for 19 years.
Bernie was an avid gardener, growing vegetables and flowers everywhere the family lived.
Bernie is survived by his twin sister, Bernice Henderson; daughter Rhonda (Tracy) Quinn, grandsons Nathaniel (Tenacity), Mason (Ana), Sam (Alyssa), granddaughter Grace; daughter Lynette (Henry) Albano, granddaughters Miranda, Chalyn (Peter) Rich, great grandchildren Ben and Oliva Rich, grandson Garrett (Kayla) Albano. He is preceded in death by wife, Anita; three sisters; four brothers, daughter Tammy and grandson Taylor Quinn.
Vigil for the deceased will be held on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. at Lakeview Chapel at Schrader Aragon & Jacoby Funeral Home. Funeral Liturgy will be held on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at 11 a.m. at St Mary’s Cathedral. Interment will take place at Mountain View Memorial Park.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Schrader, Aragon & Jacoby Funeral Home
2222 Russell Avenue
Cheyenne, WY 82001
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Dec. 29, 2021
