It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Robert Andrew Zurick on May 8, 2025. Robert passed away at his home in Laveen from natural causes at the age of 66.
Robert was born on December 19, 1958, in Evergreen Park, Illinois, and moved with his family to Phoenix in 1974. After graduating from Cortez High School, he chose to serve his country and did so proudly as a full-time member of the Arizona Air National Guard. At his unit, the 161st Air Refueling Wing, he achieved the rank of Master Sergeant and served for 23 years while first assigned to Security Forces then to the Base Operations Center. Upon his retirement from the military in 2003, he worked for the U.S. Department of Interior as a paralegal until his retirement in 2017.
Robert’s interests included music, attending concerts, firearms, and fast cars. He was generous and always ready to listen and help any of his friends or family. His memory lives on with his sisters, Michele, Maureen, Catherine, Andrea and his brother Patrick, as well as numerous loving relatives residing in Illinois, Minnesota and here in Arizona. He will also be missed by his lifelong friends that he made in the military and in the Laveen community. Robert was predeceased by his father and mother, Andrew and Patrica Zurick, both veterans of World War II.
A funeral with military honors will be held on August 4, 2025, at 9 a.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery, 2929 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Phoenix. A reception will follow at the American Legion Post 107, 20001 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix. Please join us to share or listen to stories of Robert as we have lunch and tip a beverage to his memory.
In lieu of flowers request donations may be made to the Copperhead Top 3, https://square.link/u/72vqHIuQ a private organization that promotes the welfare of enlisted airmen assigned to Robert’s former unit, the 161st Air Refueling Wing.
From Paula Penson:
It is with indescribable sadness that I let everyone know of the death of my husband, Lt Col David S. Penson,
US Air Force retired. He was an amazing husband, father, step-father, grandfather, veteran and friend.
He will be interred in a veteran cemetery in East Tennessee in June.
We know he is with Jesus and all his loved ones who went before him. So we are at peace for him; we mourn for us.
Prayers for his family and loved ones as we go through this transition in all our lives.
Paula Penson
Wife and Best Friend