Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Leon S. Zimmer, “Bud,” 80, of Clearwater, FL died after a long battle with thymoma cancer on August 15, 2010 at age 80 in his home.
Born in Vandling, PA, on May 14, 1930, he graduated from Forest City, PA High School, class of 1947. Zimmer enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard on March 22, 1948, served two years, and earned the rank of Sergeant. He won an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, through competitive examinations given by the National Guard. Zimmer graduated from West Point in 1953 with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Regular Army. He earned an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University and taught Electrical Engineering at West Point from 1963-1966. Zimmer married Mari Jane Burt of Oakwood, OH, while on rest and recuperation during his tour in Vietnam in 1967. He served 21 years as an Army officer and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
In 1974, Zimmer retired from the U.S. Army and resided with his family in Clearwater, FL. He was a lead advocate for the fundamental schools in Pinellas County. He was responsible for helping to establish fundamental elementary and middle schools in the district and the first fundamental high school, Osceola Fundamental. He played an active role in the Gifted Association of Pinellas County. Zimmer volunteered with The Boy Scouts of America for over 2 decades, including serving as a Commissioner. He also volunteered as a liaison officer and interviewed potential West Point candidates in West Central Florida. Zimmer taught students about electricity as a volunteer guest teacher in the public school system. He served several years in the International Rotary Club, becoming a Paul Harris Fellow. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, officiating soccer, and enjoying his children and grandchildren.
Zimmer is survived by wife of 43 years, Mari Jane Zimmer. He is predeceased by daughter, Virginia Lee; survived daughters Kimanne, Melissa Pierce (husband, Greg Pierce) and son, Major Jonathan Zimmer (wife, Julie Wolfe Zimmer) and 5 grandchildren, Alan Erb, Gregory and Marah Pierce, Jonah and Jesse Zimmer. Zimmer is survived by his 5 sisters, Rita Johnston (McLean, VA), Romayne Canalizo (Tafton, PA); Eve Martin (Orleans, MA), Margaret Tanner (Lawrenceville, PA), Mary Kay Logan (Greentown, PA), and brother, Stanley Zimmer (Canadensis, PA).
The memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, August 20th at Heritage United Methodist Church in Clearwater, FL.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to: Pinellas Education Foundation, 12090 Starkey Road, Largo, FL 33773 "In memory of Bud Zimmer"; or Gulf Coast Oncology Associates, 1201 5th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33705 "In memory of Bud Zimmer"; or Boy Scouts of America (online donations can be made in memory of Leon Zimmer at www.WCFCBSA.org ).
Please sign the family registry below.
Bud truly made this world a better place. He has left a great legacy. We are proud and fortunate to have known him. We’ll miss him.
Bud, “Mr. Fundamental,” was a great advocate for our children and families. He helped establish our Fundamental school program 35 years ago and he has continued his volunteer efforts to bring that proven program to more and more Pinellas families ever since. He never sought personal recognition– he only sought increased opportunities for Pinellas students and families. I got to know him as an advocate, came to rely on him as a resource and am proud to have known him as a friend. We will miss you, Bud!
I so enjoyed Bud’s frequent visits to my office to talk about schools and Scouts. His dedicated effort to improve children’s lives was truly impressive. And he was so proud of his family. My condolences to you all for your loss.
We will miss Bud, remembering him as an excellent chef, dinner host, and friend.
I have spent a great deal of time with Bud over the past several years and I will miss him. I valued his opinion on the many subjects we shared. I also enjoyed his sense of humor. We all need a Bud in our lives.
Dick and I have shared some special times with Bud and Jane. Bud’s passing has left us with a sense of emptiness, but knowing that Bud is in a better place has helped us to accept that loss. We know that Bud would have been absolutely miserable had he lived in this world beyond the point that he could function in the activities he held so near and dear to his heart. We know that God was being gracious to take Bud home while he was still able to pursue his passions.
I looked forward to Mr. Zimmer’s visits when he came into the office. He ALWAYS made a point to ask me about my daughters’. And he made everyone in the office feel important and had great respect for my boss. From one prior vet(enlisted) to another prior vet (officer) here is my salute to you and may you rest in peace.
Mr. Zimmer was always a very special patient to us and will be greatly missed. We enjoyed our visits and talks when he came to the office. We are sorry for your loss and the Zimmer family is in our thoughts and prayers.
The Staff at Countryside Cancer Center
To Jane, Melissa, Greg, and family,
I read Bud’s epilogue in yesterday’s St Pete Times and today’s obituary. I wanted to express my sympathies to you all. I so enjoyed hearing Melissa’s and Jane’s stories about Bud over the years we worked together. I know he was a strong advocate for his family and all Pinellas County children. My thoughts and sympathies to you all.
Stacy
I am so sorry for your loss. Bud did so much for Pinellas County Schools and his community.
So sorry to hear about Bud’s passing. What a great man, patriot and civic leader. He will be missed. Praying for the family.
Bud was a tierless advocate for students. On that he and I will always agree. Bud, “may your sails always bee full of wind to take you where you want to go.”
Always enjoyed the great conversations with Bud when I would go visit my parents. He taught me alot about the military and gave me alot of resources and encouragement to better myself as a Soldier. Bud, you will always be missed! My thoughts and prayers are with the Zimmer family through these tough times.
Dear Jane, Melissa and Jon –
My love and prayers are with you all. I only hope he is having a glass of wine with VL, a good meal and a then a really good nap!
I will always remember watching the Golddiggers with him. Love you all. M
Mr. Zimmer was an outstanding Father. We know this because Jon has been one of our best friends for over 10 years, and he constantly talks with love and admiration about both his parents. He is an outstanding man, father, officer, and friend who has aspired to emulate his Father in so many ways. Bud will always be remembered by all those who have the privilege of knowing his children.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. please let me know if we can do anything, and let me know when the ceremony will take place at West Point.
Love,
Greg, Veronika, Sofia, and Lydia
To all the Zimmer Family…I was a classmate of Leon “Bud” at the Forest City(PA) High School and, noticing his studious nature, knew then he was destined for important assignments. Reaching out to touch people is perhaps the noblest assignment, and he did that very well. Saw him last at a class reunion, and he exhibited kindness and a caring attitude.My sympathies are with each of you.
Merilou (Franceski) Effinger
Phoenix AZ
Dear Jane, Melissa and Jonathan – please accept our sincerest condolences.
We join with you in grief and sorrow because a very good man has gone away, who was very close to us. We are together with you during this sad moment, because we know how difficult are times in everybody’s life. Bud will always remain in our hearts.
Immersed in grief and prayer Marysia, Anna, Magdalena and Tomek.
PS
Let us hurry to love people, they depart so fast – ks. J. Twardowski.
Bud and I go back to the beginning of fundamental schools. I was a young teacher. He was a mentor and inspiration. I will always have a special place in my heart for Mr. Fundamental and grateful appreciation for his friendship and support over the years. My thoughts and prayers are with the family he loved so much and those children and grandchildren he was so proud of.
I met Mr. Zimmer in 1984 when I first started teaching at Southside Fundamental Middle School. He talked with me an hour after school one day about the fundamental concept. What a great man. He was so passionate about life, his children, and the fundamental school. I had Melissa as a student for 2 years, which was 2 great years. What a treat to work with such a wonderful gentleman. I learned so much from Mr. Zimmer that it carried with me for 25 years at Southside. May God bless the Zimmer family during this time.
We will miss Bud coming into our shop and sharing his life stories about his great life, and his wonderful family.We enjoyed cleaning & preping his guns before he would go dove and quail hunting.
GOD BLESS
Deer Hunter Guns
So sorry to hear of Bud’s passing. We knew him through soccer – David and Jon played together for many years. He was an awesome person – I enjoyed listening to him talk on any subject. He used to stop by our office just to say “hi”. He will be greatly missed!
Mrs. Zimmer, Jon and Melissa,
It saddens me to think that it has been so long since I have seen any of you and that it takes a time like this for us to reconnect.
Bud was an amazing man and a huge influence in my life. There are certain things that stick with you from childhood. Some are simple memories. Some shape the way you live your life. Bud shaped my life.
I will always remember Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. I remember sitting on tiny stools eagerly learning from Mr. Zimmer. He taught me to decipher a code. He taught me how to tie knots, handle a knife, start a campfire, and use a map and compass. Bud showed me real fighter planes. He taught me to stand at attention. He taught me about circuits, resistance and impedance–all this before I could drive.
I still remember one day Mr. Zimmer dropped Jon, me and one other boy off somewhere with a map and a compass. He said “I’ll pick you up at the X on the map.” It was hot. It was far. We didn’t see the point of it. We now live in a world where GPS takes us turn-by-turn to our destination. Mr. Zimmer taught me to not need a GPS. We didn’t realize it at the time, but he was preparing us to be men.
I spent several years in your front yard. Every year there were new additions; “new” Mercedes and new cats with extra toes. Even now I still credit Mr. Zimmer for teaching me that calico cats are always female.
Mr. Zimmer once said to me “Mike, a scientist always questions. Others simply accept things as truth, but a scientist says ’Prove It.’” Mr. Zimmer, your life has proven the great things a man can do with passion, determination, generosity and love.
Bud will truly be missed. I am thankful that he shared his time and talents with me.
Bud “Mr. Fundamental” Zimmer:
As s new principal of Southside I could always count on Bud to give me the history of fundamental schools and to keep the data in front of me. He was a beacon of hope, shining energy and focus toward the betterment of our schools. He always embodied the ’Bud Light’attributes and even bestowed one or two on me. Bud’s legacy will live long after him as a testament to what determination can do. May God be with the family during this time of transition. I will always remember “Mr. Fundamental” and I salute his resolute support of the Fundamental way.
I served in the Army with Bud, three years at West Point and one year in Nha Trang, VietNam. I am saddened to hear of his passing, but in his usual way, he will soon be leading a platoon of angels.
From our family to yours, we offer our most sincere condolencences to you all. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have met Jon’s father – an inspirational leader, a warm & caring husband, father, and grandfather.
I’m just starting to come to realize what has happened. The man that was so influential to me in childhood, and helped shape me to whom I am today, has passed on. It is very sad to write.
But, there is much to celebrate about my Uncle Bud. I remember learning about voltage and impedance from him while fiddling with a broken amplifier. His lessons to me on basic physics are still fresh in my mind. I would not have become interested in those things and gone to college for them without his inspiration. His words to me about how good a woman I found, in my wife Zena, still ring in my ears. He was with me the first time I went hunting and showed me how to walk comfortably in the woods with a gun and how to cast a line without catching it on my shirt. He loved teaching and had such an amazing way of imparting knowledge that made you feel like you figured it out all by yourself.
Many hugs and best wishes to Jon, Melissa, Aunt Jane and the rest of the family.
I find it hard to say goodbye, I have been avoiding it. I will say rather that I look forward to seeing Uncle Bud again in God’s kingdom. Meanwhile, may the Lord Bless you and keep you, make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you, as you were always gracious with us.
Dear Aunt Jane, Melissa, and Jon–Much love and sympathies upon the loss of your husband and dad. Uncle Bud was a great soul and is deeply missed. –Mike and Larisa, Haley, Devin, and Essylt
Dad, Thank you for serving our nation in the military and as a civil servant. You have paved an honorable path for others to follow. Your legacy lives on. I love and miss you dearly.
I just happened to find out that Col. Zimmer had passed away when I was surfing the web. I have great memories of the two of you in Kaiserslautern. I remember going with him to some military functions when Jane was teaching and couln’t go. In reading some of the messages about him, I realize he left an impact on many lives with a very positive impression. You have my sincere condolences. Sincerely Shirley and family:Faith Ott, Karen Rogers, Stephen and David, who lives in Coral Springs
Happy Memorial Day, Dad!
Jonah and Jesse will know that their Grandfather served our nation with honor. You are a leader who has greatly contributed to society and have set the conditions for others to emulate. Thank you.
Dear Jane and family, our sincere condolences for your loss. Gary and I will always remember Col.Zimmers kindness during the years we spent in Kaiserslautern. WIth his help Gary could come in from the field to complete in Masters degree, and when our daughter was born, he offered his driver to take us to the Frankfurt airport so we could make our flight at Christmas. I will always have the best memories of you and COl.Zimmer, and the Ist Signal Battalion. You are in our prayers Gary and Chantal Peve
Happy Memorial Day, Dad! Thank you for your selfless service to our nation. We love and miss you very much!
Happy Memorial Day, Dad! Thank you for serving our country. We love and miss you very much!
Happy Memorial Day, Dad! You would be proud of Jonah who placed about 100 US flags at Fort Leavenworth’s cemetery with the scouts. On his own, he found the grave of a Soldier who earned the Medal of Honor. This morning the Zimmer family will be visiting his grave along with a dozen other unmarked graves of Soldiers who died fighting for our country. Thank you for serving and leading by example for others to emulate. We love and miss you dearly!
Happy Memorial Day, Dad! Thank you for volunteering to serve and defend our country! Mom, Julie, Jonah, Jesse, and I will be attending Fort Leavenworth’s Memorial Day ceremony this morning. You would be so proud of Jonah and Jesse. They have strong hearts for God and country. We love and miss you and will see you someday in Heaven!
Happy Memorial Day, Dad! Thank you for serving this great Nation and providing a better life for us! Jonah and Jesse will be placing US flags at the gravestones of Julie’s relatives who have served in the military. Jesse is very proud to finally be a Tiger Cub Scout and Jonah is in his first year of WEBELOS. We love and miss you very much!
Happy Memorial Day, Dad! Thank you for serving our great Nation! Jonah and Jesse placed US flags at our Veteran’s graves this morning at the Riverside Memorial Cemetery in Hopkinsville, KY. Jonah is a WEBELOS II and Jesse is a Wolf scout. You would be so proud of them! We miss and love you very much! We look forward to seeing you in Heaven!
Happy Memorial Day, Dad! Thank you for your military service to our Nation and volunteer work in the community! Today, we will visit Julie’s grandparents’ graves and have the boys place an American flag by John Everett Wolfe’s grave in Oakville, IA. We will be travelling to West Point this summer to see you and take a picture of the boys by Eisenhower’s statue… just like you did with me throughout the years. You would be proud of the boys! Jonah earned his Tenderfoot rank and Jesse is working toward his Bear rank. Both boys were straight A students this year. We love and miss you… and hope to see you in heaven someday!
Happy Memorial Day, Dad! We love and miss you very much! Thank you for serving our great Nation! We are in Branson, MO, paying our respects to our fallen service members who sacrificed their lives so that we may live in freedom. I made it to 20 years of service in our Army and will be retiring on 1 SEP 2019… 45 years to the day when you retired (1 SEP 1974). You would be very proud of the boys. They are Honor Roll students and excelling in scouts & sports. We are looking forward to seeing you in Heaven!
Happy Memorial Day, Dad! Thank you for serving our country to defend our freedom! We love and miss you very much! I wish you could see Jonah and Jesse. They are doing great in school, sports, and scouts! Both boys earned all As at the end of the school year. Jonah is starting his Eagle Scout Project and plans to complete it by the end of this summer. Jesse’s knowledge of the Bible grows every day. I think he will be a preacher some day. We are all looking forward to uniting with you in Heaven some day!
Happy Memorial Day, Dad! As I reflect back to my 20 years of service, I am grateful for the men and women who died defending our great Nation. I lost too many friends and fellow Soldiers in combat. Thank you for your service, Grandpa Zygmunt and his brothers for protecting our freedom. You would be proud of your grandsons. Jonah earned the rank of Eagle Scout last fall and Jesse crossed over to Boy Scouts this year and has already earned the rank of Tenderfoot. The boys completed a 10-mile hike this weekend and mowed the lawn of one of our church members who recently had back surgery. They are falling in-step behind the path of selfless service that you, Grandpa Zygmunt, Uncle Jay George, and other family members have paved the way. We love and miss you very much! Looking forward to reuniting with you in Heaven someday where there will be no tears, suffering or pain.
Happy Memorial Day, Dad! I had the honor today to speak at the Knights of Columbus Memorial Day Service at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Burlington, Iowa. I lost many friends and teammates who I spoke about during the ceremony. Seems like yesterday, I was in Afghanistan. You would be proud of your grandsons, Jonah & Jesse. Both boys earned straight As this year and Jesse advanced to the rank of Star in Boy Scouts. I wish you were here to see their milestones in life. Looking forward to uniting with you in Heaven one day. We love and miss you so much!
Dad – Thank you for your service to our Nation. You would have been proud of Jonah and Jesse who participated in the Memorial Day service at Aspen Grove Cemetery in Burlington, Iowa. Jesse served as one of the guest speakers. Both boys are finishing up the school year with straight As. Jesse’s Eagle Scout Project will be complete by the end of next week. Jonah earned his Lifeguard certification and will be serving on Scout Camp Staff teaching Swimming, Lifesaving, Canoeing and Kayaking merit badges. In 2 weeks, we will be paddling 75 miles on the Cedar, Iowa and Mississippi Rivers with about a dozen other scouts for 4 days and 3 nights. After that we will be traveling to West Virginia to white water kayak in West Virginia for 6 days and 5 nights. Jonah has outgrown me at 6’4″ and Jesse is almost 6’1″. I sure wish you were here to see them grow. We miss you and love you very much. I look forward to seeing you in Heaven someday. Love, Your Son