Edmund A. Zapp Obituary (1940 - 2020)

On March 21, 2020, we lost the physical presence of Edmund A. Zapp, known to many as Ed, and to a few as Eddie, or Id App. Ed was born In Lima, Ohio, on February 3, 1940 to Louise Wimmer Zapp and Edmund Alfred Zapp Sr. He attended Lima Public Schools from grades 1-12 and was a graduate of Lima Senior High School. He attended DePauw University, Greencastle IN and graduated as a social studies teacher from Ball State University, Muncie IN. He received his Masters Degree from University of Saint Frances, in Fort Wayne, IN. During his educational career he taught World History and Sociology at New Haven High School, before he became a school administrator at Paul Harding High School, and Village Woods Junior High, Fort Wayne IN, and Heritage High School, Hoagland IN. After his official retirement in IN, he moved to Wickenburg AZ, where he served 5 years as principal of Wickenburg High School. Ed was dedicated to mentoring young people. He engaged his quirky sense of humor to inspire and encourage students when they struggled, and he celebrated with them when they succeeded. Ed was dedicated to his family and friends. Known for his positive attitude and gentle, giving spirit, "Mr. Wickenburg" was loved by many. He always knew how to make others smile with his clever wit and his sense of humor that was off the charts. Even while facing numerous health challenges (we called him "The John Wayne of medical issues,") he undoubtedly saw the "real challenge" to overcome through it all as being how he could continue to "make the world laugh" and bless others in spite of what he was facing. At Banner Boswell Medical Center, Ed was loved and cared for by his beloved surgeon, Dr. Rajeev S. Kathuria and staff, as well as the entire team in the Cardiac ICU. In the final days of his earthly life, Ed was surrounded by kindness at Select Specialty Hospital of Phoenix. Ed loved fiercely, yet gently and without a shred of judgment. He selflessly served his beloved Ktizo church, striving to help meet the needs of the community, he supported Habitat for Humanity (through volunteering and a ridiculous amount of purchases,) he was always willing to lend a hand to someone in need and he never shied away from letting people know that they mattered. His love of trains and airplanes brought him so much joy. We ask that when you see a plane in flight or hear a train sounding its whistle that you remember Ed in that moment and think of a way to bless someone in his honor before the day is through. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, his aunt and uncle, Esther and Richard Stauffer (of Lima, OH). He is survived by his beloved rescue dog, Gracie (yes, she gets top billing), his beloved wife of 56 years, Diane Detwiler-Zapp of Wickenburg, AZ, his two daughters who adored him, Kristy Zapp of Tucson, AZ, Mara Bateson (husband Chip Bateson) of Ambridge, PA, his twin grandsons who still think he hung the moon, Chad Bateson of Moon Township, PA and Eddie Bateson of Jefferson City, TN, cousins Debbie D. and Bern Jones of Tucson, AZ, other extended family, as well as treasured friends too numerous to count. Arrangements are being coordinated by Wickenburg funeral home. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date which will be announced in The Wickenburg Sun and on Facebook. Friends may offer online condolences at www.wickenburgfuneralhome.com Donations may be made in his memory to: Ktizo UCC 8724 North 35th Avenue Phoenix AZ 85051 Or to: The Arts at Wickenburg High School %Wickenburg Unified School District