Austin LeRoy Zicht

Austin LeRoy Zicht (Roy) passed away on November 24, 2018. He is survived by his loving wife Joan, his brother Robert Zicht of Columbus, Ohio, and his five children: Deborah Knight of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Mark Zicht of Lorton, Virginia; Carol Toms of Columbus, Ohio; Wendy Zicht of Tacoma, Washington; and Richard Zicht of St. Augustine, Florida. Roy was preceded in death by his son Steven Zicht of Virginia Beach, Virginia and his sister, Jane Smith of Massapequa, New York. Roy also leaves ten grandchildren: Aubrey Knight, Robert Knight, Austin Zicht, Conor Zicht, Adrien Braun, Andrew Toms, Robin Toms, Coral Zicht, Lucille Zicht, and Oliver Zicht; and three great-grandchildren: Theo Slyman, Lillian Toms, and Elaina Toms. Roy was born in Dayton, Ohio in 1927. His family moved to Larchmont, New York in 1935. After graduating from Mamaroneck High School in 1945 he joined the Navy V-5 Aviation program. He served as an Apprentice Seaman for over a year and attended Drew University, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Montclair State Teachers College, all in New Jersey. He entered flight training as an Aviation Cadet in 1946 and flew N2S Stearman “Yellow Peril” bi-planes. He was commissioned Midshipman, USN and completed flight training in 1948 when he was designated as Naval Aviator and awarded his wings. Roy served in three antisubmarine Patrol Squadrons: VP-49 (twin-engine Martin Mariner seaplanes), VP-23 and VP-18 (Lockheed twin engine twin jet Neptune patrol planes). He served as Commanding Officer of Patrol Squadron 18 in Roosevelt Road, Puerto Rico in 1967. Other assignments included: Armed Forces Staff College, Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force (Staff), Commander Naval Air Forces, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (Staff), Executive Officer, USS Pocono (Flagship of Commander Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet) and Deputy Director of Atlantic Fleet Antisubmarine Warfare Tactical School. Roy holds a BS degree from Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio and an MBA from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia. He retired from the Navy I 1972 with the rank of Commander. He and Joan then moved from Virginia Beach, Virginia to Vienna, Virginia where he joined Texas Research Associates Corporation (TRACOR). There he provided support to the Naval Sea Systems Command in Submarine Acoustic and Combat Systems development for Fast Attack submarines. Retiring from this job in 1993, Roy worked for a major bank in the Washington, DC area as part of a Response Team which assisted branches in temporarily staffing teller and customer service representatives. Joan and Roy moved to Wilmington, North Carolina to enjoy retirement and there he volunteered in the IRS program Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) helping individuals prepare their income tax forms each year. It was here in Wilmington that they joined the First Presbyterian Church and, on their move down to Palm Coast, Florida in 2001, transferred their membership to Trinity Presbyterian Church. I lieu of flowers donation in his memory may be made to K9 for warriors, www.k9sforwarriors.org. A Graveside Service will be held on Monday, December 3, 2018, 11:30AM at Flagler Palms Memorial Gardens, 511 Old Kings Road South, Flagler Beach, FL. 32136. Arrangements are in the care and trust of Craig-Flagler Palms Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens.