Robert K. Zimmerman Was Penn State Booster

Robert K. Zimmerman, 73, of Boalsburg, Pa., died Jan. 15.

He had been a summer resident of Edgartown since the late 1970s, where he was an active member of the Martha's Vineyard Preservation Trust and a member of the Edgartown Yacht Club. His passion was his boat Seahawk, on which he fished and picnicked with family and friends. He and his wife Jane entertained friends from Pennsylvania and the Vineyard frequently, and the view from their back deck of the Edgartown Fourth of July fireworks remains simply the best.

Born June 9, 1933, in Johnstown, Pa., he was the son of the late Raymond E. Zimmerman and Lorma Kane Cole.

On Sept. 16, 1961, he married Jane Williams, who survives him.

A graduate of Johnstown High School and a Korean War Army veteran, he was graduated from Penn State University in 1958 with a degree in journalism. He went on to earn national prominence in broadcasting.

He began his broadcast career as a disc jockey at WARD in Johnstown while still in high school. He worked part time as an announcer at WDFM while attending Penn State. After he earned his journalism degree, he returned to Johnstown as a radio and television announcer. Four years later, he moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked as announcer, salesman, sales manager and general manager of the all-news radio station WAVA.

In 1972, he returned to State College. He and partner Roger Neuhoff purchased stations WRSC-AM and WQWK-FM. They expanded their holdings to 13 stations and named the company Eastern Broadcasting Corporation. Mr. Zimmerman also opened a television commercial production house, a cable and sales office and a cable videotext office. He retired as president of Tele-Media Broadcasting, the company formed from merging Eastern and Telemedia Cable.

Most recently, he served as a consultant to The Shaner Group, State College, where he was responsible for developing advertising and marketing programs.

Mr. Zimmerman is a past president of the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters. He served 16 years on the association's board of directors and, in 1991, he received the association's lifetime achievement award. He served also as joint board chairman in 1985.

He also was an active member of the National Association of Broadcasters, serving as a speaker and panelist at several NAB meetings.

In 1985, the NAB commissioned McKinsey & Co. and Bob Waterman, co-author of McKinsey's book, In Search of Excellence, to review the nearly 11,000 radio stations in the United States to compile a list of America's best radio managers. Mr. Zimmerman was chosen as one of the 11 best in the country.

He was well known for his loyalty to his alma mater, and was a past president of the College of Communications Alumni Society Board; founder and co-chairman of the college's Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic; former chairman of the college telecommunications liaison committee; founding president of the Penn State student radio alumni interest group; former member of the college capital campaign committee; and longtime member of the advisory board of student radio station WKPS. He also was a member of Penn State's Nittany Lion Club, Lady Lion Cager Club, Hoops Club and the Centre County Chapter of the Alumni Association.

He was instrumental in securing a permanent home for PAB's Hall of Fame in Penn State's College of Communications.

In 1996, he was named an Alumni Fellow, the Penn State Alumni Association's highest award, in recognition of his distinguished career in broadcasting.

Mr. Zimmerman earned a reputation at Penn State for teaching excellence. He served as an adjunct professor in the College of Communications beginning in fall 1999 and was scheduled to teach his course, Telecommunications Promotion and Sales, during the spring 2007 semester. He was known for his passion for and commitment to preparing students for the broadcast industry. Students praised him for his accessibility, his mentoring and his dedication to helping them secure internships and jobs.

He also devoted much of his time and energy to significant service to the community. Most recently, he was a founding board member of The State Theatre.

He is a past president of Back-the-Lions, the Pennsylvania Centre Stage, the Centre County Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Centre County American Heart Association. He also is a former board member of the Mount Nittany Conservancy and was a member of the State College Kiwanis Club.

In 1988, he was designated a Paul Harris Fellow with the Rotary Humanitarian Award.

A man of many interests, he was a world traveler and he enjoyed photography, the arts, skiing, scuba diving, boating and fishing.

A devoted husband, father and grandfather, he took great pride in the accomplishments of his family, attending nearly every game, recital or other special events.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Dr. Andrew Zimmerman and his wife, Laura Gardiner Zimmerman, of State College, and his daughter, Laura Zimmerman Sogor, and her husband, Dani Sogor, of Boalsburg.

He took great pleasure in the interests and accomplishments of his grandchildren: Nicole and Rachel Zimmerman and Dylan and Mihaly Sogor.

He also is survived by his brother, David A. Zimmerman and his wife, Patricia, of Johnstown.

Funeral services were held at State College last week. Interment was in Centre County Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to Penn State University's College of Communications, 301 James Building, University Park, PA 16802, or to The State Theatre, with offices at 141 South College avenue, State College, PA 16801.