Victor J. Zdeb

Victor J. Zdeb, 61, died July 22 at Evergreen Healthcare.

Victor was born Dec. 30, 1946, in Germany. He immigrated to Chicago with his parents at the age of 5, earned his naturalization papers at 16, and attended four years of college at University of Illinois at Carbondale, where he discovered a passion for computers that would last all his life.

He was fascinated by technology even as a child and took great pleasure in fixing things. His mother remembers when, as a young boy of only 7, he took apart their first color TV while she was out. "It was a very large TV," she recalls, "and there were lots of pieces. But I told him to put it back together, and he did. He could fix anything."

Vic dabbled in many diverse careers before retiring to Hilgard with his wife of 35 years, taking a job as an electrician at Boise Cascade in 1997. Two years later he left Boise to pursue his dream of running his own business of repairing and building computers.

His zest for life, his kindness of heart and his generosity of spirit made friends of everyone he met, with whom he shared much pleasure hunting, fishing, picking huckleberries and philosophizing.

His courage, sense of humor and tremendous will to live won the admiration of the physicians, surgeons and other medical staff who battled for over two years to keep him alive.

His daughter Michelle says her father taught her how to view the world with an open mind and a critical eye. His eldest daughter Jennifer described her father as an intellect, enjoying chess or a lively debate. He was known for his live of music, nature and critters.

He is survived by his mother, Katherine; former wife, Anita and their daughter Jennifer; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by wife, Cynthia; daughter, Michelle; son-in-law, James Grana; two grandchildren; brother-in-law, Kris Syska; and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, John; granddaughter, Jenna; and sister, Julie.

Contributions for final expenses can be sent in care of Loveland Funeral Chapel at 1508 Fourth Street in La Grande.