Paul Lewis "Zeke" Zimmering

1949 - 2024

Paul Lewis ('Zeke") Zimmering passed away on March 4, 2024, at his home in New Orleans after a brief illness, Zeke was preceded in death by his parents, Florence ("Flo") and Henry ("Hank") Zimmering and his sister, Elise Zimmering. Zeke is survived by his loving wife, Martha, his beloved stepdaughter, Marlena Decker, his cousins Edward Friedman, Robert Friedman, and Steven Schiller, as well as many cherished friends who never had a moment's doubt about his steadfast loyalty and love. Zeke was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1949. In 1950, his family moved to the Glenwood Houses where he met many of his childhood friends who have remained his friends to this day. He attended Tilden High School in East Flatbush, graduating in 1966. While at Tilden High, Zeke was president of the Student Organization. He then attended Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, earning a bachelor's degree in Political Science, in 1970, followed by a Master's in Teaching, in 1971. He went on to teach high school in Falls Church, Virginia, for two years. Zeke moved to New Orleans and attended Tulane Law School, where he was a member of the Tulane Law Review, graduating near the top of his class, in 1976. He clerked for Justice John A. Dixon, Jr. on the Louisiana Supreme Court and then joined the firm of Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann L.L.C. in 1977. Zeke remained active in his law practice at Stone Pigman until the onset of his last illness in early 2024. Zeke was a beloved and relentlessly dedicated member of Stone Pigman, where he served as a valued mentor and good friend to both colleagues and staff throughout his career. One of his law partners commented, "Zeke was one of the most thorough lawyers we were lucky to hire at the firm. He paid great attention to detail, and when he was your backup, you could rest assured that nothing would be overlooked. He also had a calm and quiet demeanor when dealing with an opponent which was one of his best personality traits." While at Stone Pigman, Zeke represented the Louisiana Public Service Commission in numerous rate and other cases that saved billions of dollars for Louisiana ratepayers. Always an enthusiast of the legal profession, for 28 years he taught courses on Energy Law and Regulation at Tulane Law School on a pro bono basis, the only payment being his sheer joy at nurturing the budding careers of his students. While at Brown, Zeke developed deep-rooted friendships with a number of his classmates and fraternity brothers, with whom he remained close until his death. One friend from Brown wrote, "For 60 years my experience with Zeke was singular. In conversation, every time ...he made me feel like I was the only person in his world. His focus felt top to bottom heart and soul. As if he hung on every word, never missing a beat, always on the lookout for ways to show me his brotherhood, his bond, his connection, his empathy. It was an immensely rewarding interpersonal tunnel. ...A spirit of pure generosity. His immensely fortunate friends were his world." Zeke was an avid sports fan, who faithfully followed New York professional sports teams all his life. After moving to New Orleans, Zeke broadened his sports interests and became a season ticket holder of the Saints, the Pelicans, and Tulane football and baseball. He was known for bringing a scorecard to every Tulane baseball game he attended, faithfully recording each and every play. His collection of bobble-head sports figures is legendary. Zeke was regularly spotted running or walking, CD player in hand, in Audubon Park. He ran his first New York City Marathon at 50 years old. During his fifty-one years of living in New Orleans, Zeke was generous and kind to everyone he met, and he formed many enduring friendships. He was always quick with a good joke and loved to make people laugh and have a good time. With great frequency, Zeke cherished the opportunity to open his home to entertain and gather with friends. He loved red wine, the bigger the better. He was a devoted son, who along with Martha, made constant trips back to Brooklyn to ensure his parents' well-being. In the words of another college friend, "There's a word in Yiddish: "Mensch." In the High German from which it's taken, it means "man." But in Yiddish, it means fundamentally, a stand up guy. Not just a man, but a man of deep compassion and extraordinary honor. The kind of man we should all aspire to be. Paul Zimmering, always known to those who knew him best as "Zeke," was a Mensch. He will be sorely missed. A Celebration of Life will take place beginning at 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home and Cemeteries, 5100 Pontchartrain Boulevard, New Orleans, LA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Seagate Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 3015 W. 29th St., Brooklyn, NY 11224 (formerly Shorefront Jewish Geriatric Center), the Humane Society of Louisiana, humanela.org, or a charity of your choice.