Richard “Dick” Zavodny was born in David City to Emil “Hap” Zavodny and Leona (Fast) Zavodny.
Dick graduated from Seward High School in 1960 and joined the United States Navy. After being honorably discharged, he settled in Loveland, Colorado, to began his family and was accepted into the Apprenticeship Program at Hewlett-Packard where he worked in tool and die for 36 years. He then moved on to custom tooling and fabrication where he retired after 17 years.
Dick’s love of music is perhaps how he is most remembered. Learning the accordion at age 14 was the beginning of a lifelong love and career in polka music. The Dick Zavodny Polka Band is widely known in Colorado and throughout the United States. He began entertaining in 1974 and continued for 47 years right up to his passing. His Sunday afternoon radio program, “The Dick Zavodny Polka Show” on Loveland’s KLOV was a weekend staple to thousands, providing music, polka news, interviews, stories and endless musings and jokes to the polka loving community for 25 years.
Dick’s passion for motorcycles and riding emerged in his late 1960s. Once awakened to the fascinating Harley-Davidson culture, he didn’t look back. The familiar rumble of his motorcycle is a cherished memory, as are the tales of his many cross-country adventures.
Dick was many things to many people: A loving and devoted father, a brilliant, talented musician and entertainer, storyteller, jokester, genuine friend to many and most assuredly – larger than life.
He was a Loveland resident for 58 years. He is survived by three of his five children, Robin Zavodny of Loveland, Denise Hawley of Swanton and Brian Zavodny of Port Angeles, Washington. He is preceded in death by two daughters, Jenny Zavodny-Ewing and Michele Zavodny Lohnes. He is also survived by his sister, Betty Macoubrie-Crosby; brothers, Tom, Gerry and Larry Zavodny; his grandchildren, Samantha, NaTasha, Richard, Shawn, Megan, Christina and Holly and many great-grandchildren.
The funeral service was Sept. 17 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic in Loveland. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.kibbeyfishburn.com.
