Robert Lawrence Zullinger Jr.

Robert Lawrence Zullinger, Jr., a resident of Dunwoody Village in Newtown Square, formerly of Gladwyne, Pennsylvania, died peacefully on December 22, 2024. He was 91 years old. Larry is survived by his devoted wife, Diane, their four children, Kathryn (Phil) Nowlin, Nancy (Marv) Stoor, Holly (Jack) Stevenson and Bob (Heather) Zullinger, nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
Born on January 27, 1933 in Philadelphia, Larry grew up in Merion, Pennsylvania. As an only child, he cherished spending summers at Camp Tecumseh in New Hampshire, where he fostered his spirit of comradery and brotherhood. He attended the William Penn Charter School for 12 years, graduating in 1951, where he was a member of the Trident Honor Society and played on the football, soccer, track, basketball and fencing teams. After attending the University of Pennsylvania for one year, Larry transferred to Colby College in Waterville, Maine earning a B.A. in economics in 1956. At Colby, Larry was an active member of the DKE fraternity, where he developed many life-long friendships. Most importantly, he met his best friend and wife of 68 years, Diane Schnauffer. In 1958, he attended the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, taking classes in the MBA Marketing program.
Larry essentially had two careers. The first beginning in Pittsburgh at the United States Steel Training Program and progressing to become the Sales and Marketing Manager of Phoenix Steel. In 1985 he entered the second phase, a natural continuation in industrial real estate as the VP of Bushar Corporation and a broker for Liberman & Earley where he continued to work part-time until 2023.
Larry was an avid golfer, joining Merion Golf Club in 1961 where he was Chairman of Golf from 1980-1984 on the Merion Golf Board of Governors. Taking numerous trips to play courses throughout the United States and the United Kingdom, he had three holes-in-one in his lifetime, two of them being on Merion East's 13th hole and one at Lahinch in Ireland. His most endearing membership was with his beloved Divotees, a local Quaker golf group. In the 1980's, he and Diane became wildly enthusiastic cyclists. They took seven European riding trips, their favorite tour being Munich to Vienna. They also accomplished two major USA rides, Portland, Maine to Orlando, Florida and a 49-day cross country adventure from Los Angeles to Boston.
Larry was involved with several local organizations and clubs over the years, but his most enjoyable and fulfilling engagement was serving as Chairman of the Board at Hayes Manor, an affordable retirement and personal care residence in Philadelphia, from 2010-2017.
Family always came first for 'The Z's' regardless of physical distances. Shared memories, vacations and reunions over the years created a strong bond and lasting legacy of love and respect.
Larry had a wonderful sense of humor, was always quick with laughter, a smile and genuine kindness. He will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him, and will be deeply missed and affectionately remembered.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 am on February 20, at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 226 Righters Mill Road, Gladwyne. Interment is private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his honor can be made to Hayes Manor Retirement Residence, 2210 Belmont Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131 or Camp Tecumseh's Blue/Gray Scholarship Fund https://www.camptecumseh.net