Robert K. "Bob" ZELLE

ZELLE, Robert K. "Bob" Age 86 of Gulf Stream, Florida and long time former resident of Nashville. Died June 12, 2010. He is survived by Anne Hassett Zelle, his wife of 57 years; brother-in-law, William L. Hassett (Mary Lee). He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry G. and Theresa K. Zelle; his son, Robert K. Zelle, Jr., who died in 1972; his sister, Gloria Zelle Kahle. He attended John Burroughs School in St. Louis, Missouri before graduating from Yale University. He joined the United States Army Air Corps after graduation and served as a pilot and instrument instructor in World War II. With his wife Anne, he moved to Nashville in 1956 to become Executive Vice President of Life and Casualty Insurance Company of Tennessee. At retirement in 1970 from Life & Casualty he was in charge of the company's sales and marketing program. He continued his business interests primarily as an investor in private companies and venture capital entities. In 1980, he founded Reel Broadcasting Company and WZTV- Channel 17, Nashville's first independent television station, which was acquired by Multimedia, Inc. in 1982. He was a devoted supporter of educational institutions and philanthropic causes and was a committed volunteer. He served on the boards of Darlington School, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, The University School of Nashville and Alive Hospice. He was one of the founders of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. A visitation will be held on Monday, June 14, 2010 from 5-7 p.m. at 1209 Chickering Road in Nashville. A graveside service will be held 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville. Memorials may be made to Darlington School in Rome, Georgia in memory of Bobby Zelle or the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. MARSHALL DONNELLY COMBS, (615) 327-1111