Robert A. Zink MD

Robert A. Zink, MD, of Grosse Pointe Woods passed away Friday, January 3, 2025, at St. John Hospital in Detroit, surrounded by his family.
Bob was born September 24, 1936, in Detroit, Michigan, to Arthur Zink and Rita Mueller Zink who preceded him in death. He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Nancy Goldsworthy Zink; and their children, Alison (Zink) Swan (David), Robert A. Zink, Jr. (Molly), Stephen K. Zink (Dawn), and David A. Zink (Wendy); nine grandchildren: Robert Zink III, Sophia Swan, Kate Zink, Kathleen Zink, Bennett Zink, James Zink, Brady Zink, Charles Zink, Clara Zink; and his siblings, Philip Zink, Judith Rauch, and Mark Zink.
After Bob graduated from De La Salle Collegiate High School, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Detroit. He went on to achieve his childhood dream of becoming a pediatrician by earning his MD at the Wayne State School of Medicine, where he was awarded the Julius Grodzin Award for excellence in pediatrics. He interned in Traverse City, Michigan. Married to Nancy, with one child and another on the way, Bob was drafted into the U.S. Army and served as the Medical Officer-in-Charge of the Dispensary Division for two years at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio. From Texas, they returned to Detroit where he completed his pediatric residency at Children's Hospital. He joined Lakeview Pediatrics in St. Clair Shores, which eventually expanded to three locations. He was recognized by his peers with a Top Doc Award and by being named to the Wall of Honor at St. John Hospital, where from 1967 to 2005 he served on many committees and touched countless lives.
Bob's family is grateful for the extraordinarily compassionate care he and they received at St. John's during his passing.
Community was important to Bob. He volunteered through Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church and the Helm at the Boll Life Center. He enjoyed Lochmoor Club, the Huntsman, and his Up North retreats, Lake Independence, where he met Nancy, and The Pinery.
Bob will be remembered for his devotion to family and friends, colleagues and patients, and for his love of bird hunting, books, chocolate, and sweets of all kinds. He called his children and grandchildren his blessings and his wife Nancy his treasure.
A Memorial Mass for Bob will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 10:00am at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 467 Fairford Rd., Grosse Pointe Woods. The family will receive guests starting at 9:30am until the start of the Mass.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are appreciated in Bob's honor to either Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church or the charity of your choice.
Share memories of Bob with the family at Verheyden.org