On behalf of the Page and Hoffman families, I'd like to extend our sympathies for the Zakia family.  Dr. Zakia was a wonderful man and certainly inspired so many, including my father.  He will be dearly missed but his impact on this world, RIT and the photographic community has made a lasting positive impact that lives on.  All our Best

I'm going to miss your dad, he was one of a few Great Men in my life. I enjoyed learning from him and teaching with him.

Renee and family,  I am so saddened by the passing of Dick Zakia who was one of the kindest people I have ever known.  His enthusiasm and support for my career in photography will always be remembered. I know his life touched thousands of people. Rest in peace, dear friend.

I am sorry to hear of Richard's passing. He was a charming and vibrant man, and the world is poorer without him.

Dear Renee and family it is cousin Jacqueline O'Neil. I am so sorry for the loss of Uncle Dick, also that i could not be there. My dad was representing us but i want you to know that i am am there with you in your hearts. I love you all so very much and I miss you  a lot! Please tell Evan how much I love him and miss him. We all had a great time growing up together. My fondest memories of us at Aunt Lois and Uncle Dicks house with all the kids and Uncle brother Joe and all his home cooked meals. The sound of laughter i can still hear and the contentment of love in my heart seems as it was just yesterday. I am Honored to be a part of this family and will be in touch with you very soon I love you  with all my heart  and may God bless you and keep you forever and always.  Love Jacqueline xoxoxoxox

Renee & family - Although I can't be with you, I share in your grief and remember the happier times.  I knew Dick over so many years - first as my student, then as a colleague/professor at RIT, collaborator and co-author of so many photography books, some still used as textbooks today.  Most importantly, Dick was one of my very BEST friends.  I will miss him!

To the Zakia family,  As a nurse at Wake Med Cary, I only was able to meet Mr Zakia and his sweet and loving nature during his stays in the hospital. He was a bright presence in a sometimes difficult job. We are are all sorry for his passing.God bless you. Kathy

Dear Renee and family,
I am so sorry to become aware of your father's recent passing. I remember him so well from the Photographic Science Program at RIT. His course taught me so much about what made photography work, and even now as I transition to digital photography I have a much better understanding of what is going on. I do especially remember the tone reproduction project that Andrew Davihazy mentions as that helped put so much into perspective, and certainly helps explain all the options one has today with digital images. Renee, I remember your mom and you as such a tiny, and most welcome addition to their lives. I remember when he commented that the fabric I used to make a vary colorful dress would make a fun tie for Richard Norman, who loved to wear bold, fanciful neckties. So I made one for him and your dad too and got requests from more of the faculty.
By the end of that year several students from the department decorated the third floor of the Clark building with a wild assortment of rummage sale ties, which later appeared mysteriously on the bushes and trees in his yard. Those were fun years at RIT, and I have often thought of your father since. I had hoped that one of these years we would have had a chance to stop and see him in North Carolina, but our travels hadn't brought us that way. I enjoyed seeing him at the 150 Years of Photography Celebration at RIT several years back. He is a man of fantastic personality, and many accomplishments over the years.
Elsie Menz Photo Science '65

Hello Renee, I knew your father from working in the School of Photography as his secretary. He was a joy to work for and the one thing that always stuck in my mind were the subliminal images. He gave me a new perspective of photographic images. My deepest sympathy to you and the rest of the family.

The family of Richard Zakia, please accept my sincere condolences on your father, grandfather and friend's passing. As I read obituary in today's Democrat & Chronicle, my memories went back to Holy Rosary Grammar School, during the years, 1934-39, when we were classmates. I can recall an incident when we shared our mutual interest at the time in Stamp collecting and he generously donated some stamps from the country of his “roots”, which few had heard of and it contributed to some success I achieved in our study of Geography. Years later, I enjoyed reading of the success he achieved, as a Professor of Photography at RIT. Our paths rarely crossed through years, but I fondly remembered his friendship and generosity to me, as youths. I Googled his name and was rewarded by a number of photos of his many successful years at RIT. Despite these many years, I Could easily recall his resemblance, as pre-teens. God Bless him and his family during this sad occasion. Donald Pero-Rochester

Dear Renee,  Sorry I never met you.  We were freshman classmates at RIT and neighbors at 124 Alameda St. my second year at RIT and we had 2 children by then as I had received my AB from Hamilton College, married my senior year at Hamilton.  We would see Dick in class and he of course continued on for the new 4 year degree.  I just did 2years and was hired into the printing business.  I think we crossed paths at a RIT class reunion some years ago after Dick had moved south.  Had a nice chat and remember him fondly. He was nuch admired by faculty and students at RIT.
" To Live in Hearts that Love is not to Die"
John Parker '54 RIT

Professor Z, Rest in Peace...
I was Blessed to meet Mr Zakia at diagnosis.  I was her nurse. We bonded right away over  photography and our love of trees. He had pictures of the most beautiful trees is his book he co-wrote with his business partner.
 We would talk and enjoy each other company.
 And in coming to know Prof Z, I could tell he had affected alot of people in his life.  
We had the professional and traditional relationship dictated by how we met.
But I found out right away  how Special he was. His Love of Life, Persuit of Knowledge and Kind Spirit  made me know right away that you were Blessed to be in his presence. 
I also remembered he Loved Clothes and Shoes.  I usta tease him about being 'Sharp As A Tack" when he came for treatment because he was always dressed so Nice and Immaculate: 
See?  We both Loved Shoes!
 I showed him pictures I'd taken years ago of trees and I even had a picture of the Korean War Memorial in Wash DC which was a photo in Prof Z's book. 
 I will miss him.
Life is a Miracle and Our time together is a Gift from God.
I'm so very glad I got the chance to Thank him for making me a better nurse.
Professor Zakia R.I.P 2K12
Love, Nurse Diane

I will miss you, Zake.  To me you were a teacher, a co-worker, a manager, and most importantly,  a friend.

Dear Renee, 
I met your dad in 1950 at a dance at Brockport State University.  The Korean War was on the horizon and being a Navy reservist, Richard was recalled to duty.He served aboard a destroyer and was a radio"man", for the duration.  We became engaged and "almost" married in July of 1956.  We didn't and he married one of my schoolmates from Nazareth Academy.
He was at the forefront of the photography school at RIT .
About 5 years ago, a speaker at my art group mentioned your dad's name.
I spoke to this friend of your dad's after the talk, and Richard and I began an exchange of emails that included mostly discussion of our grandkids!  I sent a photo I took of my great grandson, and I was honored by its inclusion in the last edition of his book.  

We became good friends again and I will miss his scholarly AND  humorous emails with anecdotes about the grandkids.

My deepest sympathy for your loss.

Dick has been an amazing friend and colleague since 1953. There was never anyone like him in my life, as friend, coach, as family. I don't know where his being came from. What I do know is no one else ever came close to that unique being. He will never leave my heart.

Renee,
Your father was a wonderful man. My family and I were truly blessed to have him as a neighbor, as a friend and as a part of our lives. I was very fortunate to have gotten to know your father and for that I will always be grateful. I will miss him very much but I know he has been reunited with your mom, brother and his family in the presence of God and for that we should all take great comfort and happiness. You, Paddy, Evan, Liam, Liddy, Luke, Joey and Haley are in my thoughts and prayers as is your father and mother. 

God Bless

Dr. Z was a great teacher, mentor and friend. I was so fortunate to be in his program back at RIT in 1980-82. I was his TA and worked with you on so many projects and workshops, He was the one that taught me to become a better teacher back here in Australia and have been for the past 30 years. He will truly be missed

Dick and I shared an office when I first started teaching at RIT. We had many discussions of life, philosophy, school, teaching and other subjects.
Dick was always the teacher and searcher for knowledge. He taught me a great deal during our days in that office. Thanks Dick.

Although I met Professor Zakia only once, he had been a part of my life in his photographic writings and books since my early undergraduate work in photography. Around the world his dedication to the education of generations was reached across the globe. His passion and insight will always live on, Joe Z., MSED, MFA

Dear Renee

I am so very sorry for your loss.  Your father was such a gentle compassionate man.  He always had a smile on his face and a kind word for everyone. He had the kind of spirit which lit up a room. He will be very missed.

With deepest sympathy,
Diane, Doug, Nick, and Jacob

Like many others I will miss him. He was a friend and mentor on many levels. An inspiration and an adviser. His good humor and cheer were contagious. His knowledge, insight and willingness to share were legend. I remember him for many reasons but one of them is that he taught me to "see" the meaning of the 4 quadrant tone reproduction process as shown by this photo from 1962. He encouraged me as a student and supported me as a colleague. He was my closest role model.

Dear RenÃ©e and family, receive my sympathies for the passing of your father. I will always remember him as a teacher, advisor and a dear friend. 
Luiz Monforte, Dr. M, as he called me.
SÃ£o Paulo, Brasil

Dr. Zakia had a profound impact on my life, and I will forever be grateful for his insight and his compassion for the topics he taught me. I would not be the man I am today, or have the career I have now, without his contributions to my education. He is forever my mentor.

Dear Renee;
We are so sorry for your loss.  Please know that you are not alone in your sorrow. Your Dad was a great man and left a great legacy in you and your family.....
He had a tremendous influence on Matt and for that, I am forever greatful.  You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.

Love, Susan, Matthew, Brian & Erin

My sincerest sympathies on Dick's passing. He was a wonderful man, great educator and endearing colleague.
Prof. Nancy Ciolek, RIT School of Design.

On behalf of the faculty, staff and students of the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences, I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to Dick's family and friends. Dick left an indelible mark on our School, its origination and mission. As news of his passing became known, former students and colleagues joined with us in remembering and celebrating Dick's passion and spirit for photography and for photo education. We are all the more blessed to have learned from him, to have laughed with him, to have known him. Thank you, Dick! 

Best, Therese Mulligan, Administrative Chair, SPAS/RIT

OBITUARY

Richard Donald Zakia

December 9, 1925 – March 12, 2012

Apex Funeral Home

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