Gary Zimmerman

GARY ZIMMERMAN

Waukon

Gary Alan Zimmerman was born in Waukon, Iowa, on April 19, 1959, to Sally Jane (Sharp) and Walter Zimmerman. He died suddenly Friday, Sept. 26, 2014, while hiking Conundrum Trail in Aspen, Colo., with his

wife, Susan. At the time of his death he lived in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Niwot, Colo., with his wife, Susan, of 24 years; his son, William; and daughter, Ingrid.

Private family services will be Thursday, Oct. 2, on Gary's Pond, by the Rev. Susan Springer, St. John's Episcopal Church. It will be followed by a gathering of friends and family to celebrate his life at 11 a.m.

Gary is survived by three brothers and their families, David (Jeannine) of Waukon, Brian (Julie) of Hiawatha and Todd (Teresa) of Naples, Fla. He also is survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, all who have fond memories of their uncle. Also surviving is his mother-in-law, Helen Dunn of Santa Rosa, Calif.

Gary was preceded in death by his mother, Sally, on Jan. 1, 2014; his father, Walter, on Feb. 6, 1998; and his niece, Joanna, on May 3, 1984.

Gary graduated from Waukon High School in 1977. He played football and wrestled and continued both at Wartburg College before enrolling at the University of Iowa, graduating in 1981, from the College of Business. Gary earned his executive MBA from The Ollin School of Business at Washington University in St. Louis in 2006.

During his career he was a corporate executive who cared deeply about his employees and always prided himself on his ability to relate to anyone.

Gary met his wife, Susan, while working in California and the two were united in marriage on Aug. 11, 1990, in St. Helena, Calif. Gary and Susan have two children: William, a junior at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and Ingrid, a junior at Niwot High School.

While growing up in Iowa, Gary always enjoyed being outdoors and was fortunate to discover one of his lifelong passions early in life: hunting and fishing. Throughout his life, Gary was an avid hunter of turkeys, pheasants, wild mushrooms and particularly enjoyed hunting on the Blake family farm in Iowa. On weekends, Gary could often be found fishing in his pond for catfish, bluegills and bass.

Gary traveled the world both professionally and personally, visiting more than 10 countries and most of the United States. He will be remembered as an outdoorsman and sportsman who was always in awe of God's creations.

Gary's home in Niwot was often referred to as a gentleman's farm, proving that you could take the boy out of Iowa but you could never take the farmer out of the boy. He truly loved being outdoors, his animals and working with his hands. His family will continue to maintain the family property and the fruits of his labor.

Above all else, Gary was a devoted, loving and thoughtful husband, father, son and brother. He was wholly integrated into the lives of those he loved and those who loved him. He was taken too soon but the years we had with him are worth more than anything. We look forward to seeing you soon, Dad, and hope you are shooting turkeys and helping the Hawkeyes in heaven.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gary A. Zimmerman Scholarship Fund at the University of Colorado, Boulder.