Howard Zumsteg

Howard Oliver Zumsteg Jr.
May 14, 1944 - January 25, 2024
Ward Zumsteg, a longtime resident of San Francisco, passed away on January 25 at the Sequoias San Francisco. Born in Oakland in May, 1944, Ward was raised in San Bruno and Millbrae and lived most of his adult life in San Francisco. After graduating from Mills High School in Millbrae and then UCLA, Ward married Diane Rittersbacher and entered the U. S. Navy flight training program. On completion, he was assigned to VAW-116 in San Diego, where he flew the Grumman E-2B Hawkeye, completing two tours on the aircraft carrier Coral Sea.
After leaving the Navy in 1970, Ward joined Proctor & Gamble, then Johnson & Johnson, living in Los Angeles, Seattle and Minneapolis, before returning to San Francisco, where he lived the rest of his life. He had a successful career as a stockbroker for Smith Barney.
Ward and Diane loved to travel and did so extensively, all over the world. They loved music and were frequently at the opera, the symphony, and many other classical music events. Ward was an accomplished classical and Spanish guitar player and so supported many flamenco events in the City. Music was a central part of their lives for many years.
In his 50s Ward decided on a whim to buy a set of golf clubs and try out the game. Thus was born a passionate love of golf; Ward could have played golf every day and in his retirement made a valiant effort to do just that.
Ward is survived by his wife of 57 years, Diane; his son, Scott; Simone and grandson, Andy; his daughter, Erica, Tadd and granddaughter, Emma; and his brother, John. No service is planned, at his request. You can best honor Ward's memory by enjoying a Grey Goose martini, up, with a twist; he'd like that.