Edward L. Zausch

March 3, 1941 - December 19, 2021

Edward L. Zausch, 80, passed away at peace on Sunday, December 19, 2021 surrounded by loved ones at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, Indiana. Ed was born on March 3, 1941 in St. Louis, Missouri, the fourth child of the late Leona and Walter Zausch. He graduated from University City High School in St. Louis in 1960. His basketball talents lead him to be recruited by the University of Evansville’s Hall of Fame coach Arad McCutchan. In spite of suitors from larger universities, one recruiting trip to Evansville and the 14,000 fans in Roberts Stadium made it clear as to where the future shall be spent. This was the decision where he found a path that would prove to define his life. The years spent at Evansville as a student-athlete were extremely formidable to Ed as a young man. He fell in love with the city, and it is commonly known the city loved him and all of their basketball players. In addition to being a student-athlete, Ed along with teammate and friend Buster Briley operated the often remembered ‘Buster and Ed’s Ice Cream Shop’. In his senior season he and his teammates won the 1964 NCAA national championship, earning them a place in the university’s Hall of Fame. He finished his college career with a great education, obtaining a degree in Business Management. He married Evansville born and raised, Mary Jane (Haas) Zausch in 1965 and together they went on to have three children. Seeking business opportunities, he found one in the beverage distribution business. After some time of operating ‘Zausch Beverage’, he realized it wasn’t going to exactly provide the future he wanted for him and his family. The company was sold, and soon thereafter he went to work for Bates Meter Corporation out of Owensboro, KY. After commuting to Owensboro for a while, Ed and Jane decided to move the young family to Henderson, KY in 1976. The commute was shorter, but more importantly, this is where his brother Charles, who had since graduated from the University of Kentucky School of Architecture, had set up his practice. The brothers were reunited again, as were their young children for the first time. Henderson proved to be a great place to raise a family, evidenced by a very long list of amazing family friends, and many memories made. Bates Meter Corp gave Ed the opportunity to enter the waterworks industry, where he quickly rose to president. Always seeking growth, he saw an opportunity for a possible second division of the company to be in the distribution of pipeline materials. He presented the idea to the company’s board of directors. They did not go for it, but his interest in the opportunity was too great. In 1980 Ed founded Utility Pipe Sale Co. Inc. on the north side of Evansville. With several committed associates, he labored to grow the company, while he and his wife strategized to always make ends meet for their family. Jane often worked nights and weekends at St. Mary’s Hospital, leaving her husband and children to work in the yard year-round. This was his opportunity to teach his children several life lessons, such as the pleasure in a day of work well done, taking pride in what you do, working as a team, and the joy of having each other as siblings. In 1986, after commuting for many years, Ed and Jane made the very hard decision to move away from Henderson, and come back to Evansville, where it all began. They built their dream home in a neighborhood in McCutchanville where they yet again made friends with several great neighbors, as well as new friends all over town. And again, so many more memories made. Ed had a distinctly adventurous mind and spirit. There was not a place on earth he did not want to see, and in fact nearly saw all of the great destinations this world has to offer. In addition to essentially all of the European countries, he travelled to destinations such as Borneo, the Congo, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Australia, Argentina and too many more to name. In particular, he had a love for Africa and traveled there on multiple occasions. Visiting the near-extinct mountain gorillas in the Congo, along with his daughter for her 40th birthday was one of the many highlights of his journeys. Ed’s zest for life was a gift innate to him. He had the gift to see life and all of its aspects in a unique and positive way that everyone who knew him will always remember. However, his sense of humor is what will come to mind the quickest. Also, while his large physical presence was always so impressive, the size of his heart, his kindness, and gentle way he lived life were actually even more impressive. Furthermore, he was and always remained a student of life. His pursuits of all things artistic, be it creation of things by his own hands, or perhaps the words written in song or poetry was something he found deep inspiration. Ed delighted in his three children. His relationship with all three were particular in nature. His relationship with his oldest, Ed, was one of profound and deep appreciation for each other. You could say the two Ed’s thought each other was simply the neatest guy they ever knew. He spent several years with his daughter Jennifer pursuing adventure in travel, and his youngest, Bill, followed the path paved by his father in several ways, professionally being the most notable, as he is now the curator of Utility Pipe Sales. He also had a very fulfilled sense of joy with the relationships he had with all of his grandchildren. It is certain that they feel the same way about their ‘Big Ed’, or ‘Papa’. Ed lived a life devoted to his wife and family. Jane, his wife of 54 years passed away in 2019. He was also preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Wally Schliesser, and his brother, Charles Zausch. He is survived by his children, Edward Zausch (Gayla) of Henderson, Jennifer Zausch-Manners of London United Kingdom, William Zausch (Shelley) of Evansville; sister, Shirley Thorn of St. Louis; and nine grandchildren, Greg Woodward, Hank Woodward, Eli Woodward, Jackson Manners, Sienna Manners, Elayna Zausch, Wyatt Zausch, Lillian Zausch and Owen Zausch. Additionally, he is survived by several nieces and nephews. A very special thank you to all of his friends in which he admired and held in very high regard. Several have preceded, many have survived him. It is no coincidence many of you were cut from a very similar cloth as Big Ed. His family will never forget you. Also, to Jacquelyn Monroe, who gave Ed a very important companionship and great care of the last 10 months of his life, thank you. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at Ziemer Funeral Home East Chapel, 800 S. Hebron Ave. Funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at the funeral home. Interment will be at St. Joseph Mausoleum at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Attn: Processing Center, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394.