Charles Edward Zimmer
Charles Edward Zimmer, retired Army Colonel and Hospice Pioneer died in Santa Barbara on October 26, surrounded by his family. Born in Dayton, Ohio, June 27, 1931, the 7th of 8 children of Eugene and Marie Zimmer. He graduated from the University of Dayton in 1952, with a BA in Political Science and a Regular Army commission.
Over the next 25 years, he served in many theaters. Early on in Korea, he was Company Commander of the American sector of the DMZ, where he met Nina, who was with the American Red Cross. After their marriage, Charlie and Nina were stationed in Beirut, Lebanon where he achieved a Masters in Arab Studies at the American University of Beirut and their daughter, Jennifer, was born. The family was stationed in places as disparate as North Carolina where their son, Christopher, arrived, and Oahu, Missouri, and Maryland. During his military career he was awarded three Legions of Merit, one Meritorious Service Medal, and three Army Commendation Medals. After retiring from military service, Charlie & Nina moved the family to Santa Barbara.
Charlie’s continuing desire to serve led him to earn another Master’s at UCSB in Counseling Psychology, with an intent to become a Marriage & Family Counselor. But upon graduation, another door opened, and he applied to Hospice of Santa Barbara.
Serving there as Executive Director for almost 12 years, he helped build a stable foundation for the second Hospice in the country. His work was recognized by the 1990 Pierre Salmon Award by the California State Hospice Association.
Upon retirement from Hospice, he served as a volunteer for six years on the SB Alzheimer’s Association’s Board of Directors, and later served on Hospice of SB Board of Directors until term-limited off. He and Nina loved traveling, celebrated their 50th Anniversary with a trip to Paris in 2009.
His greatest joy was in his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Nina, children Jennifer and Christopher, his wife Kim, grandchildren Kaitlin, Connor, & Kyle, his bride, Ashley, as well as a brother, James Zimmer of Dayton, and many nieces and nephews.
He was, above all, a good and honorable man.
Memorial will be at Trinity Episcopal Church on Dec. 7 at 3 PM. The service will be Zoomed. Check the website: https://www.trinitysb.org/upcomingevents/memorial-service-charlie-zimmer on the day of the service for the livestream link. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Santa Barbara or Central Coast Alzheimer’s Association Chapter.