Robert A. Zimmermann

Florence, MA - Robert A. Zimmermann, 86, passed away suddenly at his home in Florence on May 9, 2024 with his wife by his side. Robert was born July 17, 1937 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the late William and Margaret (Leukens) Zimmermann. He was raised in Wyncote, Pennsylvania and attended local schools. He got his Bachelor of Science degree at Amherst College then went to Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston where he went on to earn his Doctorate degree in microbiology. He was a Professor of Molecular Biology for 40 years at the University of Massachusetts.

He was an avid bird watcher and loved to travel. He was a supporter of conservation and environmental issues.

Robert was predeceased by his parents William Zimmermann and Margaret (Leukens) Zimmermann. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Athleen, his daughter Hannah Zimmermann Danglade of Austin, Texas and step daughter Laura Ellington of Costa Rica and his grandchildren Ela and Jamie.

Robert's Funeral Services will be held privately. Donations may be made to the Broad Brook Coalition, Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Hampshire Gazette on May 16, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Zimmermann

8 Entries

Dawn Striker

June 3, 2024

Bob,
Thank you for your stewardship of Broad Brook/ Fitzgerald Lake, and thank you for welcoming me to the MANO Christmas bird count group.

I so appreciated your enthusiasm very recently at my nesting backyard hawks.

As a neighbor, fellow scientist and birding mentor, I am grateful for the short time our paths crossed.

Love and best wishes to your family.

Hilary Caws-Elwitt

June 2, 2024

I knew Bob through water chestnut pulls and invasives control at Fitzgerald Lake. He was so kind and charming; he knew so much and shared so generously; and his love for Broad Brook Coalition was infectious. I always looked forward to working with him, and I'm so sorry to hear that he's gone. He will leave a giant hole, but also a legacy of care and service. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Lila Gierasch

May 20, 2024

My deepest sympathies to Bob's family... He was a dedicated faculty member at UMass for four decades, caring deeply about the quality of education and carrying out world-class research in his field. He also shared his passion for birding and the outdoors with many of us. He will be greatly missed.

Bruce Hart

May 17, 2024

Thank you Bob for the life you spent supporting wildlife, land conservation, habitatat enrichment, and our community of conservationists and land stewards. After almost 40 years that I've worked with you, and many of those years supporting birds, our community of birders and wildlife advocates will only benefit by your energy and your committment to our world. Thanks Athleen for helping to bring out the best in Bob.
Bruce and Ilene

How you can show support

Notify Me

Get email updates whenever changes are made.

Send flowers

Consider sending flowers.

Add photos

Share their life with photo memories.

Plant trees

Honor them by planting trees in their memory.

Donate in Memory

Make a donation in memory of your loved one.

Share this page

Invite other friends and family to visit the page.

Alice Cheung

May 17, 2024

Bob was a colleague and a friend. For the many years we were colleagues at UMass, I interacted with him on many levels. We discussed science, Bob was a scientist with keen insights. We taught together, Bob was a serious and compassionate teacher, demanding the best but always had the students' best benefits in mind. We worked on committees and other causes together, Bob was always a fair colleague and an ally for just causes. Last but not least, Bob was a loyal and generous friend. I shall miss his intermittent drop-bys (which he did after retirement), these remembrances will not diminish with time.

Molly Fitzgerald-Hayes

May 17, 2024

Bob Zimmermann was my friend and colleague at UMass for over 30 years. I arrived as a new faculty member in the department and Bob was my mentor from the start. I learned many things from Bob and asked many questions, his office was just down the hall. Bob was a good friend and I will miss his smile!
Molly Fitzgerald-Hayes

Carol Barlow Landraitis

May 15, 2024

Bob was my mother's (Mary Ann Lukens Barlow) first cousin; she was the oldest and he was the youngest of the first cousins on the Lukens side. My Mother also was a graduate of Germantown Friends School. I have vivid memories of Bob when he would come for Christmas Dinner at my Lukens grandparents' house when I was a child. He was always very friendly to my older brothers and me. After moving to Boston as an adult, I got to see Bob and Athleen on a number of occasions; once with my parents and daughters (Marianne, Kelly, and Lauren) at their home on Cape Cod when Hannah was a toddler and her older cousin, Sarah Zimmermann, was visiting, and years later at various family weddings, including Charlie's and mine in 2009 and Hannah and James's in 2019. Charlie and I were very sad to hear of Bob's passing. Bob was such a friendly, kind, and genuine person. We will keep Athleen, Hannah, Laura, and their families in our thoughts and prayers.

Carol Barlow Landraitis

Ted (C Edward) Lukens

May 15, 2024

Bob was my first cousin - - six years younger than me. Like his brother Bill, sister Peggy Ann and me, he was a graduate of Germantown Friends School. He was in the Class of 1955. His mother, Margaret P. Lukens Zimmermann, also went to
GFS and graduated in 1914. Our Lukens family, consisting of Ed
and. Helen, my mother and father, Mary Ann and Peggy, my sisters, and I, were very close to Bob and his family and celebrated many holidays with them. Bob and I have stayed in touch all these years and I will surely miss him. My wife Ann and I extend deepest condolences to Athleen Zimmermann and family. Ted (C Edward) Lukens

Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results