Alfred J. Zacher

Alfred J. Zacher, age 96, passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2024 peacefully at his home in Fort Wayne. The son of the late Phillip and Molly Zacher, he grew up in Bay City, Michigan where he graduated from Central High School in 1946. He then attended Antioch College graduating with a bachelor's degree. Al was then drafted into the United States Army, where he served in Korea during the Korean War, as a member of a four-person Engineering Intelligence team that supported three front-line divisions.

Upon his honorable discharge, he attended The University of Michigan earning a Masters Degree in Economics in 1953. Al then settled in Fort Wayne, Indiana where he managed a group of millinery retail stores. The company was sold in 1961, at which time he founded The Zacher Company, embarking on his 63 year career in Commercial and Industrial Real Estate. Some of his most notable projects include: the 170-acre Office Park at I-69 and Illinois Road for the Headquarters of The Magnavox Corporation, later the site of The Lincoln National Corporation, The Lincoln Industrial Park on Hadley Road, University Medical Park on North Clinton, an office park for Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company, the former Marriott Hotel at Coldwater and I-69 for the Azar Corporation, Park West Shopping Center, and the Parkview Regional Medical Center.

His clients also included Dana Corporation, United Technologies, Scott’s, Rogers, Kroger, Walmart, K-Mart, Mr. Wiggs, Menards, and Walgreens, among many others. He was active in the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR), serving in national leadership roles.

His community activities included many board memberships, including Park Center, board member and Chairman of PBS Public Television, The Fort Wayne Philharmonic for over twenty years, The Chamber of Commerce, The Northern Indiana Innovative Collective, WBNI Public Radio, The Civic Theater, SCAN, Vincent Village, Friends of Lincoln Collection, Omnibus Lecture Series, The History Center, United Way, Quest Club and the University of Michigan Alumni Association as well as the Fort Wayne, U of M Alumni Club.

His many accolades include honorary status as a Distinguished Hoosier awarded by Governor O'Bannon, a Lifetime Achievement Award from Arts United and the Champion Award of IPFW, now Purdue Fort Wayne. He was the author of "Trial and Triumph: Presidential Power in the Second Term" which received nationwide recognition when President Clinton stated in a press conference that he had read the book. Al was interviewed by several national news broadcasts including, The Today Show, C Span, and also by numerous major newspapers.

Al was the most proud of his family. He was married for 63 years to his loving wife Hannah, who passed away in 2017. He was a dedicated and involved father to both his daughter Marie and his son Steven, whom he mentored as his successor at The Zacher Company. He was a tremendously involved and loving grandfather to his six grandsons.

He was also predeceased by his brother Robert, sister Helen, and son-in-law David Warshauer.

He is survived by his daughter Marie Warshauer of Evanston, IL and son Steven (Judy) Zacher of Fort Wayne; grandchildren, Michael Warshauer, Andrew (Mia Salamone) Warshauer, Adam Zacher, Daniel Warshauer, Joshua Zacher, and Theo Zacher, along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at Congregation Achduth Vesholom, 5200 Old Mill Road, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Visitation will start one hour prior to service. Burial immediately following in Lindenwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made in Al’s memory to The Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Congregation Achduth Vesholom, Vincent Village, Scan or a charity of your choice. Arrangements by D.O. McComb and Sons Funeral Homes – Covington Knolls.