Loved ones remember Garden City air traffic controller killed in Ukraine-Russia war

GARDEN CITY, Kan. (KWCH) – A Kansas air traffic controller’s loved ones are speaking out about the kind of man he was and what he meant to them following his death in Ukraine last week. Zach Scheiman, from Garden City, was killed in action in the Ukraine-Russia war.

Scheiman went missing in action in Ukraine the Monday before Thanksgiving. He’d been in the country since July, stepping up in support of the Eastern European nation’s fight for freedom.

“All he saw was humans that needed help,” said Meredith Owings, a friend of Zach Scheiman.

On Nov. 29, Zach’s unit confirmed that he had been killed when they were ambushed by Russians.

Friends remember his character

Zach’s friends Meredith Owings and Timmy Snead met him in high school.

“He walked in wearing baggy jeans, flip-flops, and blue hair,” Snead said.

Zach joined the U.S. Air Force, where he learned to be an air traffic controller before coming back to Garden City.

“He was a very detail-oriented guy, so just being able to track where all the planes were going, he liked that,” Snead said.

Community involvement

As an air traffic controller, Zach spent much of his life at Garden City Regional Airport. His friends say that was just a small part of his life. Outside the airport, he was heavily involved in the community and dedicated himself to helping anyone in need.

“He was so fun, and he didn’t want anyone to have a bad time,” Owings said.

“He would take all the animals if you would let him,” Snead said.

His friends say while some might be wondering why he would give his life for another country, that’s just who Zach was.

“If they’re skeptical, they didn’t know Zach. He’s helping, that’s what he’s gonna do. Any way he can,” Snead said.

Lasting impact

While his loved ones try to move on, nothing will replace the joy Zach brought to everyone in his life, his friends say.

“One thing about Zach was that he was always constant. You could call him at any time of day, no questions asked, and he would show up. And it’s hard to know that somebody that’s been a constant in my life for 20 years isn’t coming home,” Owings said.

The Garden City Regional Airport encourages donations in Zach’s honor to the Wings of Rescue, which provides transportation for animals from disaster areas. Those wishing to donate can do so here: givebutter.com/ZachScheimanMemorial.