Bruce Zimmerman

Bruce Aubrey Zimmerman, a beloved husband, father, uncle, and friend passed away peacefully on March 10, 2025 in his home in Naples, Florida with his loving family by his side after a courageous battle with cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

Bruce graduated from Drexel University in 1961 with a B.S. degree in Business and in Mechanical Engineering program. At Drexel, he was very active in sports holding a varsity basketball scholarship, enjoyed the Greek life as a Tau Kappa Epsilon, and was a member of the student government body. Bruce began his career in the Philadelphia area enjoying life on the shore in the summer and skiing in the mountains of Vermont in the winter. In 1968, Bruce moved to the Chicago area and as any true entrepreneur would do, he launched AVTEC Industries, Inc.

In 1978, fate intervened when he met the love of his life Johanna Mathilda Heuperman. After a whirlwind six week courtship, he and Johanna married and started their life together in Glen Ellyn, IL where they raised their two sons, Mark and Rick. In 1998, Bruce retired as CEO and Chairman of AVTEC Industries, Inc., but continued to lend his business prowess to many organizations for 20+ years. Bruce was an active church member and a former Trustee, traveled extensively with Johanna and enjoyed golfing, skiing, and flying planes while splitting their time equally between Glen Ellyn, IL and Naples, FL.

He is survived by his loving wife Johanna (Heuperman) Zimmerman, his devoted sons and daughter-in-laws Mark (Tara) Lipke and Rick (Flora) Lipke all of whom were his pride and joy. Bruce's memory will forever be honored in the lives of his nieces Lynne Ann Conlan, Lisa Joyce Sloss, and nephew William Bruce Gibson and by the many friends who will miss him deeply as they cherish every memory they had with him. Bruce was preceded in death by his mother and father, Lena Glendora & George Oscar Zimmerman and sister, Audrey (Zimmerman) Gibson.

As we say goodbye to Bruce, we will remember an entrepreneur who demonstrated the courage and boldness to go his own way.A man with a strong personality and the tenacity to make things happen. He turned his ideas into reality with impressive confidence and visionary determination. He created a life that was far-reaching both within his career and within his family-a life that would have been unthinkable without him. His legacy extends far beyond the boardroom as he leaves us not only with an impactful career, but also with a faith-based, loving community of family and friends. His memory will live on in our hearts with deep appreciation and gratitude for the time we had with him.

Services for Bruce will be held in Naples, Florida on a future date in the Spring, as yet to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorial contributions can be made to Naples Community Church of Naples and St Matthew House in Naples.