Richard Charles Zwick was born on October 26, 1931, in a farmhouse between Gresham and Staplehurst, Nebraska, a son of Richard and Louise (Abrahams) Zwick. He was baptized in infancy at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Marysville (near Staplehurst), Nebraska. His family moved to a farm near Buffalo, Nebraska (20 miles Northwest of Lexington, Nebraska) in 1937, where he attended First Lutheran School and Church, and renewed his baptismal vow in Confirmation on May 5, 1945, by Rev. Daniel Luebke, at the altar of the First Lutheran Church in Buffalo, Nebraska.

On July 25, 1954, he and Eveline Heppner were married at Trinity Lutheran Church, Plentywood, Montana. Their union was blessed with one son, Matthew, and one daughter, Barbara.

Richard received a B.S. in Education degree and the Lutheran Teacher's Diploma from Concordia Teachers College-Seward. He taught in Lutheran elementary schools from 1954 to 1963, at Plainview, Nebraska and Auburn and Detroit, Michigan. In 1963, he took a position as Dean of Men and English Professor at Concordia Lutheran Junior College, Ann Arbor, MI. From there he moved back to his Alma Mater in 1968, where he taught English and served in various positions at Concordia-Seward. During his teaching career, Richard earned his Masters in English Education from the University of Michigan, and his Ph.D. in English Language and Literature from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church since 1968.  There he served on various boards, played in the Bell Choir, and sang tenor in the Sanctuary Choir.

After his retirement in 1997, he continued as editor for various publications, wrote essays, and composed poetry. He published a book of poetry, BUFFALO DUST, during his retirement years.

Richard spent his later years in prayer, writing and study, always seeking the will of God for his life. On January 7, 2025, at the age of 93, the angels came to him and carried him home to everlasting life in heaven.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Leland Zwick; sisters and brothers-in-law, Edith and Earle Wobig, Armelda Schreiber and Betty and Don Hofferber.

Survivors cherishing his memory include his wife, Eveline (Heppner) Zwick, Seward, NE; son, Matthew Zwick, Omaha, NE; daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Franz Cowden, Riverton, IA; two granddaughters, Anna and Emma Cowden, Riverton, IA and numerous relatives and friends.