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david Zimmerman Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for david Zimmerman
Daniel Kammer
April 7, 2025
Dave was a great person, friend, and colleague. Miss him dearly!
Trina Johnson
May 9, 2012
Although time has passed, I am still stuggling with the loss of Dr. Zimmerman. As God gives me the strength to get through these few lines,it it Dr. Zimmerman's family that I pray for strength to get through their daily lives. I have to say that it's strange not seeing him walk around the department, sitting in the same spot in the conference room during lunch, or calling me to request graduate information. I'll never forget how kind he was to me and how supportive he always was of me. Taylor, know that he loved you dearly. Continue to let his legacy live on through you as you grow and mature into the young lady he knew you would become. May God bless you.
Egbert Maben
May 8, 2012
Dr.Z's passing has a left a big void in my world that cannot be filled. He was a great advisor and was really concerned about the future of his students. I was in the finishing stages of my Ph.D. under his guidance when he left UF. He made sure that I had no problem in completing my work. I learnt a great deal of things from him. I will miss him forever. Dr.Z. Rest In Peace!
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever. Psalm 23
David Layton
May 4, 2012
Dave's support and thoughtful insight had tremendous impact to my academic and professional career for which I will always be grateful. Over the years, I had opportunity to visit with Dave on several occasions and although no longer a student his keen interest in the path I had taken and his motivating personality provided continued inspiration. Having been fortunate enough to work in the field of applied aeroelasticity to design, test, and field an aircraft that is changing the world I can't help but to recall the lessons learned from Dave both within and outside of the classroom that enabled my success when faced with tremendous technical challenges. It's very humbling, and in fact over the years there's been many instances where I would pull out my notes from Dave's courses to apply concepts that would then set the team in motion. I will certainly miss him.
Dan Inman
May 4, 2012
David Zimmerman was my 4th PhD student and my first from the US. I met him whilst teaching a junior level course of 240 in System Dynamics at the University of Buffalo, my first year as an Assistant Professor. Even in that large class he distinguished himself through his brilliance and his keen sense of humor. He sat with a group guys who sat together, asked great questions and became known to me as the “Burrito Brothers” for reasons not polite to discuss. Dave was certain at that time to go to work for a local company (Hooker Chemical, if I recall) so resisted my attempts to recruit him to grad school. In the end, Hooker had a big lay off and he became my grad student. We flew to NASA together and secured a NASA Graduate Student Fellowship for his PhD. He spent many months at Langley working with Garnet Horner and Jer-Nan Juang and establishing himself with NASA even before his first academic position. He was a fabulous student and great friend during his graduate years. He helped mentor my other students and continued to keep contact with them. When Dave graduated with his PhD he had several offers, Princeton and the University of Florida. He took the job at Florida because “the people where nicer”. That was Dave, as much interested in people as he was in engineering. I watched his career developed with great deal of pride and happiness. He was an excellent person, and excellent professional and the world is now missing a special person.
George James
May 4, 2012
David Zimmerman was my post-doc mentor and one of three other co-instructors for a short course in Structural Health Monitoring at the 15th SEM International Modal Analysis Conference. I have also had the privilege of working with three of his students as summer interns at Sandia National Laboratories and NASA Johnson Space Center. Also, I am currently working directly with several of his former students at NASA-JSC. I first met Dave when he came to Sandia in 1993 to give a talk on genetic algorithms. Although his career has been shortened by close to 20 years, his work and his technical progeny have still spanned a wide range of topics, industries, and projects. An incomplete list would include: controls, finite element model updating, genetic algorithms, neural networks, damage detection, structural health monitoring, dynamic residuals, automated modal identification, test planning, Ritz vector utilization, operational modal analysis, signal processing, micro/nano engineering, biomedical engineering, machinery monitoring, non-contact measurements, mechanical design technologies, offshore technologies, wind energy technologies, and solar energy technologies as well as the Shuttle/Mir, International Space Station, and Space Shuttle Programs. Throughout Dr. Z's career (as his students call him), he has graduated 12 Ph.D. students and 31 M.S. students with three additional M.S. and one Ph.D. student still in process. Of course the impact on the countless undergraduate students and colleagues that Dave interacted with cannot be measured. In fact, we who enjoy the products of our modern technical society have much to owe to David Zimmerman.
Daniel Kammer
May 3, 2012
Dave was much more than my colleague. I considered him my good friend, even though we only saw each other once or twice a year. We kind of grew up together in the professor business. I always looked forward to seeing him at IMAC, and discussing research over a beer or two. Dave made so many great contributions to the structural dynamics community, and touched so many lives. I will miss him terribly.
Christopher Niezrecki
May 2, 2012
Dave was a great person who I enjoyed talking to for many years at the IMAC and other technical conferences. We swapped many stories of our shared experiences at the University of Florida, surviving hurricanes, academia, etc., and he has always been very helpful and kind to me. I enjoyed our technical discussions, drinking beers with him, and just being friends. He will be deeply missed.
Pradeep Sharma
April 29, 2012
David Zimmerman was a good friend and a mentor. I joined the mechanical engineering department at UH in 2004 as an assistant professor. Within weeks of my arrival, David did something for me that is unheard of in academia. He offered me a fully-funded research grant to the tune of $ 300, 000 to help jump start my career. I owe a big part of whatever little success I have had to David's generosity.
David was one of my most frequent sources of advice. I can't count the number of times I have reached for the phone to call him only to realize that he gone.
Several of the faculty in our department have lunch together. David was a regular part of our lunch group. The lunches have not been the same since he left.
Sandy and Taylor: I, and probably other faculty, feel that we know you guys well; David used to often talk about both of you during lunch. My prayers are with you.
Bora Gencturk
April 22, 2012
It has been only less than a year since I joined UH. Within this very short period, I had the chance to know Dr. Zimmerman as a very kind and helpful person. Rest in peace, we will miss you.
Ibrahim Al-khalil
April 18, 2012
I was deeply sadened by the passing of Dr. Z, his last words to me were "Don't make me look bad letting you into the ME program", I can proudly say Dr. Z I graduate this May
Badri Roysam
April 18, 2012
I am saddened by the sudden passing of Dr. Zimmerman. We had exchanged some notes just the day before this happened, and we were planning to meet. I have only known Dr. Zimmerman for about a year. In this however brief period, he left an indelible impression. First and foremost, I remember him as a gentleman and a scholar.
Keng Yap (MS/PhD 1995-2000)
April 17, 2012
I have been deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Z (as students have often referred him). As my professor, advisor, and a dear friend, he has touched my life through his knowledge and wisdom, and I owe my career to his guidance and encouragement over the years. He was an outstanding educator. I remember at his lectures when he was deriving the mathematical proofs, sometimes he liked to use an analogy for the final equation as "the Promised Land", and then showed us the steps. I'd like to think that's where he is now, with complete peace, fulfillment, and happiness. Dave, we all miss you.
April 17, 2012
All,
I did not know Dr. Zimmerman well but I liked what I came to know of him. At any UH event I attended or when walking down the CCOE hallway or across campus, he always managed to stop to chat a while and always made me feel welcome. What makes him memorable in my eyes and heart is that he seemed genuinely kind and extremely likeable. I never had the opportunity to meet Taylor but boy did his eyes light up and his grin widen when he mentioned her name or his latest story about her. For the past 2 1/2 years working at UH, I often overheard students speak highly of his teaching abilities and his fairness, which means my immediate observation of him was right on the money. I wish I could have known him longer (because I always like to surround myself with great people) but I am so happy I had the opportunity to know him for as long as I did and to have his greatness touch me.
To his family, know that true blessings never die and that he will always be with us. My prayers are with you. His kindness will be missed but never forgotten.
-Yolanda Brooks Brown - Houston, TX
DJ Belarbi
April 17, 2012
I will definitely miss my frien David. He was a great friend, mentor and he was one of the first one to welcome me when I joined UH. His unexpected departure affected me and I am still trying to cope with such. We will miss him.
he was a gentleman and dear friends to all.
Mike Dingus
April 16, 2012
Dear Taylor,
You might remember me as the computer guy. I really liked your dad and it was a pleasure to work for him. He had a great sense of humor and was so easy to get along with. Although I retired about 3 years ago, I held some joy just knowing he was there at UH doing what he did best. He will be missed by all that knew him. I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that I will miss him, too.
Jennifer Van Akin
April 16, 2012
Dr. Zimmerman was one of the kindest men I've ever known and one of the fairest. He was honest and thoughtful in his answers and even in his scoldings...lol. I will never forget the man who hired me and gave this newly divorced single mom a chance to do better for herself and her daughter. He supported his staff as well as his students and colleagues alike in our professional goals and our personal ones too.
He loved you Taylor, he told me all the time how proud of you he was. He lit up every time he had a chance to brag about you. He was a man on a mission when it came to anything he was doing for or with you. Purposeful, involved, and loving. I am so happy that the Lord gave you such a great dad.
Sandy, Dave admired your strength and courage in the face of difficult circumstances and told me what a great mom you are... it's obvious that's true. He loved you.
Please know if there is anything I can do I am more than willing. You can get in touch with me through the Mechanical Engineering Department at UH.
Scot McNeill
April 14, 2012
David was a kind and supportive mentor for his students. He always made time in his busy schedule to smooth out the bumps encountered in the road through a graduate education.
We'll miss you Dave!
The Cagles
April 13, 2012
Dave was one of those dad's that you could look in his eyes & see how much he loved Taylor. She was his sunshine, moon & stars. Along with that, Taylor's caring nature & love for her father was also a part of his life that he expressed often to Al & I how blessed he felt to have. Dave will be missed by so many who were lucky enough to have had their paths cross his. Knowing he will be continue watching over Taylor & cheering her on through her yet to come, many achievements... is comforting for many.
Taylor, you were(are)a wonderful daughter. Your father loved you more than he loved himself. Never doubt & forever BELIEVE that. You were (& still are) THE WORLD to him.
We love you like a daughter,
The Cagles
Jeane, Al, Bri & (of course...) your Sister @ Heart... Abi
Frank Lopez
April 13, 2012
David Zimmerman was a leader who could guide young students into cognizant academics, always with personal examples of unbound curiosity, kindness and eyes fixated on the future. His humble demeanor could not conceal his energy for life. He changed the lives of all those he educated. Thank you, Dr. Zimmerman for your legacy. You will be missed.
JR Rao
April 13, 2012
To one and all, David was gracious, kind and very giving of friendship and mentorship. He educated and inspired a generation of young scholars, and his quiet and thoughtful presence will be missed greatly.
To Taylor, Sandra and family, please be assured that our support and prayers are with you.
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