Gerard Zschoche

Gerard Zschoche died on June 19, 2025 at the age of 87. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska to Gerard, Sr. and Evelyn Gatz Zschoche. He spent most of his years in Denver and the Colorado front range. Gerard graduated from South High School where he was a member of the Camera Club and an annual yearbook photographer. After graduation, his first employment was as a news photographer for Channel 9 in Denver.

Recognizing that not having a college degree limited his appreciation of the world, Gerard enrolled at the University of Denver, obtaining an undergraduate degree in Psychology. During his studies, he was called to active duty with the U.S. Air Force while John F. Kennedy and Nikita Krushchev rattled their sabers in the early 1960’s leading up to the Cuban missile crisis.

Gerard started his professional career as a social worker with the Denver County Department of Social Services. His career progressed to working for the Colorado State Department merit system. He later served as the personnel director for the El Paso County Department of Social Services. It was here in Colorado Springs that he met Linda, the woman with whom he would spend the rest of his life. Gerard later started his own business in Denver, specializing in weddings, portraits and commercial photography until his retirement.

True to form for someone born under the sign of Leo, Gerard loved to travel. He was a charter member in the Ports of Call Travel Club and visited nearly all states within the U.S. and some 28 different international locations from Aruba to Yugoslavia. Notable among his travel memories were riding elephants in Thailand, canoeing on the Amazon River, scuba diving in Tahiti, and hiking to the Temple of the Moon at Peru’s Machu Picchu. Gerard and Linda also traveled extensively with Overseas Adventure Travel to locations in Central and South America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and New Zealand.

Continuing interest in outdoor activities led to Gerard joining the Colorado Mountain Club and pursuing hiking, back packing, cross-country skiing, and rock climbing throughout the Rockies.

Introduced later to square and round dancing at the height of its popularity, Gerard and Linda became accomplished dancers. They were active with the Polka Dots, one of Denver’s oldest clubs, where they both served as club officers.

A spin off of the Square dancing club was a bicycle group which they dubbed as the Cycle Paths. Thus began a 35 year love affair with cycling for Gerard and Linda. They participated in the Santa Fe Century, Elephant Rock, and RAGBRAI bike rides and Gerard rode the complete Ride the Rockies four times.

Both Gerard and Linda were active Community Forester volunteers with Denver Digs Trees branch of the Park’s People. They conducted surveys, recruited tree hosts, planted trees, and monitored tree health. In 2011, Gerard was designated as distinguished volunteer for the year. Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity was also an important part in their lives. With their trusty Winnebago, they traveled to New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas to work on home builds. Gerard was also active in both construction and deconstruction projects in Denver.

After retirement, Gerard and Linda developed a passion for Pickleball which they played three times a week for the last ten years. This provided them with many cherished friendships.

Gerard is survived by his wife of 50 years, Linda Lamer Zschoche, sons Jeffry (Debbie) Howington and Mark (Marilyn) Howington, grandchildren Shannon Howington, Emily Howington, Eric Howington, Ben Howington, Tim Howington and great grandchild Adeira Fabila.