Daily Gazette Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois

Richard Zion  1942-1994

8-3-1994

The community lost a school district superintendent early this morning who many considered irreplaceble.

Richard Zion, 51, died of a heart attack around 3 a.m. at CGH Medical Center.   Zion had been with the district since 1965, when he began as a history teacher at the high school.  He served the Sterling schools as both a respected teacher and administrator. 

Zion was born in Streator in 1942.  He received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Illinois State University.  During his college career, he lettered in football for  four years while making the Dean's list each of those years.  He received his Doctorate in Education in 1990 from the University of Illinois.

He began his career at Sterling High School in 1965 as both a teacher and assistant varsity football coach.  He spent five yars as the lead teacher of the social science department.  He also was elected the first president of the newly formed Sterling Education Association.

He became assistant principal in 1974.  He is credited with innovative work on the Alternative School, which was successful in overcoming rising drop-out rates.  In 1984 he served as an administrtive assistant to superintendent James Garnett.  In 1990 he became the district's superintendent.  As superintendent he is credited with developing a district wide program focusing on cooperative learning and language and initiating contacts with area businesses and industries to  promote an understanding of today's youth and the problems they face.  He also worked to develop a "diploma endorsement program"  to assist in the hiring of dedicated students .  He also initiated a Parents as Teachers program and Parent Hotline.

Zion also served as a press box play caller, a United Way and Hospital Board of Directors member, Rotary member, and active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Educators and community leaders remember Zion as a caring administrator who put his heart and soul into every aspect of education for nearly three decades for the benefit of Sterling students.  He showed patience, love and dedication not only as an outstanding educatior, but also as a loved father and husband.

He was preceded in death by his father and one brother, Dan.

Zion is survived by is wife, Nan, a teacher at the Sterling Alternative School, and five children Kim, Cory, and Brandy, all away from home; and two at home Alison and Justin, students at Sterling High School.  His mother, Agnes, resides in Streator, as does his sister Cindy (Dutko).One brother, Louis, and wife Shirley (Sauers)reside in Denton, Texas.