Charles E. Zech, acclaimed economics professor emeritus at Villanova, has died at 79

Charles E. Zech, 79, formerly of Wallingford, internationally acclaimed professor emeritus of economics and church management at Villanova University, founder of Villanova’s Center for Church Management, financial consultant, author, and mentor, died Sunday, May 17, of complications from Parkinson’s disease at his home in West Chester.

Dr. Zech earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and a doctorate, all in economics. He joined the School of Business at Villanova in 1974, served as chair of the department of economics, and spent 44 years, until his retirement in 2018, as a mentor, innovator, role model, and teacher.

“He had a tremendous impact on his students,” Wen Mao, dean of Villanova’s School of Business, said in a tribute, “with many crediting him for their reason to study economics.”

Dr. Zech was organized and intellectually curious as well as good at math, his family said, and he noted early in his time at Villanova that church leaders, including his own Archdiocese of Philadelphia, often struggled with church finances.

“I realized that the church needs help with the temporal side,” he told The Inquirer in 2006.

So, in 2004, he created and directed the Center for Church Management at Villanova. He added a two-year master’s degree program and a non-credit certificate in church management a few years later so the center, he said, could “step forward and take the lead in providing this education.”

“If folks were better trained in management,” he said in 2008, “a lot of problems that churches face today could have been avoided.”

Mostly, he promoted financial transparency, bookkeeping oversight, and educating lay leaders as well as clergy. He researched financial red flags, polled parishioners on key issues, and was an expert on administrative fraud and embezzlement.

For decades, he advised church leaders on financial management structure, investments, attendance, fundraising, and even content on their websites. He said they were routinely challenged by declining attendance, aging facilities, and increased school labor costs.

“They are bleeding money,” he said in 2015.

To spread his advice, he organized church management seminars and championed financial responsibility on local TV talk shows and in lectures around the world. He wrote op-ed pieces on economics for The Inquirer and said of parish mergers in 2009: “It’s painful, but dragging it out is worse.”

He was especially critical of how local Catholic church officials mishandled a financial crisis that included a $39 million deficit in 2012. “It’s far worse than I expected,” he said in 2013.

After the chief financial officer of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia was charged and later convicted of embezzling nearly $1 million in 2012, he told The Inquirer: “There must have been some lack of controls.”

He wrote or cowrote more than 50 articles and papers, and a dozen books, including 2000’s Why Catholics Don’t Give … And What Can Be Done About It? and 2003’s The Parish Management Handbook. He also created the online audio course Taking Your Parish From Good to Great: Best Practices in Parish Management.

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He earned awards from Villanova for distinguished teaching and research, and was honored by the International Catholic Stewardship Council, the Conference for Pastoral Planning and Council Development, the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, and other groups.

In 2006, he said: “The opportunity to offer business education to church leaders is wonderful.”

Charles Edward Zech was born May 7, 1947, in St. Paul, Minn. He earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota in 1969 and his master’s degree and doctorate at the University of Notre Dame in 1973.

» READ MORE: Dr. Zech said: In tough economy, even houses of worship are in need

He met Ann Zlotkowski at Notre Dame, and they married in 1973, and had sons Tom, John, and Ron, and a daughter, Patty. His son Tom died in 2021.

Dr. Zech enjoyed basketball, baseball, softball, golf, and pickleball. He had season tickets to the Phillies and Eagles for years, and liked to compete with family and friends in fantasy sports.

Friends noted his “infectious laugh” and “beautiful and fruitful life” in online tributes. His wife, also an economics professor, said: “He was upbeat and friendly. He was interested in students as a whole person.”

» READ MORE: Dr. Zech on the financial break for ailing Archdiocese of Phila.

He shot hours of home movies, loved musical theater, and doted on his wife, children, and grandchildren. “My friends loved him,” said his daughter, “and I loved having him around.”

His son John said: “What truly defined him was the impact he had on the people around him.” His son Ron said: “He was always there for us. His love language was time.”

In addition to his wife and children, Dr. Zech is survived by eight grandchildren, two brothers, a sister, and other relatives. A sister died earlier.

Visitation with the family is to be at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, May 28, at St. John Chrysostom Church, 617 S. Providence Rd., Wallingford, Pa. 19086. A service is to follow at 11 a.m.

Donations in his name may be made to the Center for Church Management, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova, Pa. 19085.