Roger Zacher

On August 23, 2023, the world lost a warrior, Roger Alan Zacher, following a four-year battle with stage IV cancer.

Born March 19, 1961, he was the fourth of five children born to Herbert and Arlene A. (Hanzal) Zacher of Parshall, North Dakota. He was raised on the family farm in the Parshall area.

The phrase “Work Hard, Play Hard” described Roger and his family well. After long days of work on the farm and ranch, the Zacher family relaxed on the nearby shores of Lake Sakakawea. As an adult, Roger found the same enjoyment at Tappan Lake in Ohio. 

From childhood through adulthood, Roger’s love of the outdoors and cultivating the land was his passion. As co-founder and co-owner of Absolute Reclamation Services, LLC, Roger believed no project was too large or too challenging, especially if it involved land clearing or excavation. Roger enthusiastically took on company challenges and found great satisfaction in successfully completing projects that seemed impossible to others. When out for a drive, he could not pass a construction site without critiquing its work and design.  He was quick to “offer his expertise” on how it should have been completed.

While working in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1988, he stopped by the Brass Rail Café for dinner where he met his future wife the former Alyson Breehl, who was home on college break. Six years later, they wed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in New Philadelphia, Ohio, on October 22, 1994. They spent their married life in the Pittsburgh area where they lived out their vows “For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.” 

When Roger would meet a new individual, often that person didn’t know how to take his humor and mischievousness. But, after spending time with Roger, he became loved and unforgotten by all who met him. He was quick to pull a prank and loved to shoot, demolish, and blow things up. Roger loved to do many things, but his absolute greatest love was for his daughter, Kiera. No matter what he was working on, he would make time for her each and every need. Roger was also an avid hunter and golfer. He lived a grand life and was recognized by Duquesne University as an “All-around Good Guy.”

Roger will be deeply missed by his wife, Alyson; his daughter, Kiera A. Zacher of Columbus; mother, Arlene of Bismarck, ND; siblings, Wanda (Bruce) Olsen of Cando, ND, Bryon (Lois) Zacher of Parshall, ND, Brad (Carol) Zacher of Parshall, ND, Chris (Ruth) Zacher of Parshall, ND; mother-in-law, Sondra Breehl of New Philadelphia; brother-in-law, Ed (Chris) Breehl, Jr. of New Philadelphia; sister-in-law, Vicki Breehl of New Philadelphia; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

In addition to his father, Herbert Zacher, Roger was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Ed Breehl, Sr.; and a nephew and niece.

Visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory in New Philadelphia on Friday, September 15, 2023 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. Visitation will also be held in Sacred Heart Church on Saturday, September 16 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. Father Jimmy Hatfield will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial in the church Saturday beginning at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia. 

Memorial contributions can be made to either:

The Urban F. Meyer III and Shelley M. Meyer Fund for Cancer Research. Donations can be made online at https://www.giveto.osu.edu/makeagift/details/314731 or via a check made payable to The James Cancer Hospital.

Include “In memory of Roger Zacher” and Fund # 314731 in the memo of the check.

Or

The Duquesne University Vinnie Vaccarello Memorial Football Fund. Checks can be made payable to Duquesne University and sent to 600 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15282.