Robert Zimmerman

ROBERT ZIMMERMAN

Cedar Rapids

Robert E. Zimmerman, 88, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, Jan, 21, 2015, following a brief illness in Naples, Fla. A reception to celebrate Bob's life will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at the Naples Sailing and Yacht Club. An additional celebration of life reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at the Cedar Rapids Country Club.

Survivors include two children, Mark (Tracy) Zimmerman of Cedar Rapids and Anne Dundorf of Charlotte, N.C.; a grandson, Alex Dundorf; and two sisters, Betty Hoover of Pittsfield, Ill., and Norma Wiley of Deerfield, Ill. Also of extreme importance to Bob and his family is Tania Cotto, the longtime caregiver to Bob, and other previous members of the Zimmerman family.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, June S. Zimmerman in 2004; his parents, Earl and Vera Zimmerman; a brother, Richard Zimmerman; and two sisters, Ruth Weaver and Athene Schimmel.

Born Nov. 16, 1926, in Pittsfield, Ill., Bob graduated from the University of Illinois in 1950, the same year he married June Smith. Prior to completing his college degree, Bob served in the Army as a paratrooper. He grew up in the car business starting as a teenager working at his father's GM dealership. Bob owned the Chevrolet dealership in Charleston, Ill., and then later in Freeport, Ill. In 1969, he moved to Cedar Rapids and bought the Ford dealership. Later he acquired the BMW, Hyundai and Mitsubishi franchises. Bob loved his chosen vocation and always put the customer first. He remained a dealer in Cedar Rapids until retiring to Florida in 1996. Bob enjoyed many aspects of life. Besides the love of family and friends, he enjoyed time spent playing tennis and golf at the Cedar Rapids Country Club and the Wilderness and Grey Oaks Country Clubs of Naples, Fla. Bob looked forward to annual ski trips and duck hunting with friends. During his retirement years some of his favorite pastimes included trips up and down the East Coast, Chesapeake Bay and the Florida Keys on their boat, "Sweet Spot." In addition, he loved ballroom dancing, traveling and living in wonderful Naples, Fla.

We will remember Bob for his outgoing and fun-loving personality. He never met a stranger and kept his family and friends entertained with his stories.

Organizations that were very important to Bob included the Sigma Chi Fraternity and Rotary.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.