Robert "Bob" Zuelsdorf

1931 - 2025

Robert "Bob" Zuelsdorf

August 23, 1931 – July 9, 2025

Robert "Bob" Zuelsdorf passed away peacefully on July 9, 2025, at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento, with his daughter by his side. He was 93. Just two weeks earlier, he had undergone a heart valve replacement - something he deeply wanted and was excited about. The procedure went well and he was expected to go home the next day; however, complications arose, and he remained in the hospital, where he later passed.

Bob was known for his friendliness, wit, and work ethic. He was the kind of person who never met a stranger- always ready with a smile, a pun, and a helping hand. He took great pride in being positive, welcoming, and getting things done.

Born on August 23, 1931, in York Center, Wisconsin, Bob worked in his family's garage business before attending the University of Wisconsin - Madison. He later met the love of his life, Kay, and they were married on December 14, 1957. Together, they raised a family and shared more than six decades of life and adventure. They did everything together.

A Korean War veteran, Bob taught electronics during his military service - part of the groundwork for a lifetime career in broadcast television. He was a professional engineer (PE) with a long and accomplished career at WKOW-TV in Madison, Wisconsin and its related stations. He had a cable TV company and did consulting and station builds for several media companies. Later, he and Kay moved to Grass Valley, California, where he joined the Grass Valley Group to design and build broadcast equipment that would be used in television stations and networks around the world.

Even while working full time and going to school full time, Bob always made time for his kids. He taught his daughters to solder, use a jackknife, ski, change car brakes, and play cribbage - passing along practical skills and priceless memories. One of his greatest personal goals was to be friends with his children, and he succeeded.

Bob was an astronomer, photographer, woodworker, and 5K runner. His eclipse and planetary photography were good enough for publication. He loved camping, RVing, and being outdoors. In recent years, he enjoyed attending live music events at the Center for the Arts and dancing with his girlfriend, Marlee Chamberlain.

Bob was deeply involved in the Nevada City United Methodist Church, where he helped lead the craft faire and ran the Sunday video streaming program. He'd previously been very active at Bethany Methodist in Madison.

Bob was also the author of two books: Memoirs of a Broadcast Engineer and RV-ing Alaska, chronicling his passion for his profession and his travels, and sharing his early life growing up in rural Wisconsin.

For the past year and a half, Bob lived independently at Eskaton Village in Grass Valley, where he continued to live fully, laugh often, and make new friends. He enjoyed singing with the Forever Young chorus.

Bob is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kay (Katherine) Zuelsdorf; daughters Kathleen Zuelsdorf and Annette Gerhardt; and is survived by his son Robert Walker, and daughter Cindy (Cynthia) Zuelsdorf Upton.

A joint memorial service for Bob and Kay will be held later in 2025.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob's memory may be made to the Nevada City Methodist Church nevadacitymethodist.com or to Girls Who Code give.girlswhocode.com - a reflection of his love for community and his belief in creating opportunities for women in science and technology.

He will be missed dearly by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.