OBITUARY

Douglas C. Zimmerman

Douglas C. Zimmerman
1957-2010

Douglas Craig Zimmerman, age 52, Woodstock Valley, CT.

On June 8, 2010, Doug collapsed while on a lunchtime run. Medics were unable to revive him.

Doug was born happy in Beverly, MA on July 26, 1957. He graduated from Penney High School in East Hartford CT in 1975 and from Eastern CT State University in 1980 with a degree in Environmental Earth Science. His career in public service spanned 27 years with the CT Dept. of Environmental Protection. Doug started at DEP as an intern, then became a hazardous waste inspector, and ultimately his hard work and technical skills were rewarded by promotion to Supervising Environmental Analyst. In college, he was co-President of the Outing Club, and later he volunteered for 8 years with the Woodstock Historical Society as Vice President and Program Chair.

Doug was an avid mountaineer, rock and ice climber. From the time he was a young boy, he loved the outdoors, and hiked the trails in CT, NH, and NY with his father, brother, and friends. He went on to become a technical mountain climber. With his climbing buddies, he traveled to various places in the U.S, Canada, Alaska, and Peru. Doug and his friends Bob Plucenik and Doug Bonoff were first ever to conquer South Kennedy in the Yukon Territory in Canada. Bob commented that, of all the men he climbed with, Doug was the one he trusted most to be there when needed.

Doug was also a reckless softball player, giving all he could to help his team. He dislocated his shoulder three times flinging himself after balls. He could fix just about anything. No task was too big for him to tackle. He was always there for his wife, family, friends, co-workers and neighbors, ready to lend a helping hand. He had a great sense of humor and lived life with gusto.

Doug is survived by his wife Bet, his parents Larry Edwin and Joan Lorraine (Fraser) Zimmerman of Amston CT, sister Julie Miller and brother-in-law Charles of Leander TX, brother Glen Zimmerman and sister-in-law Therese of Hooksett NH, his mother-in-law Kay, brother-in-law John and sister-in-law Tina Gallagher, and countless other wonderful friends, colleagues and family members.

Relatives and Friends are invited to visit with Doug’s Family on Friday, June 11, 2010 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church Street, Putnam, CT. A memorial service to celebrate Doug’s life will be held at The First Congregational (The Hill) Church on 543 Route 169, Woodstock CT on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception at the church, to which all are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, Doug’s life can be honored with a memorial donation to the Founders of Environmental Earth Science Fund c/o ECSU Foundation, 83 Windham St., Willimantic CT 06226; or the American Alpine Club, 710 10th St Suite 100, Golden, CO 80401; or the Woodstock Historical Society, PO Box 65, Woodstock CT 06281. Doug’s last act was giving the gift of sight and healing through tissue donation.

“A truer, nobler, trustier heart, more loving or more loyal, never beat within a human breast.”

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Gilman & Valade Funeral and Cremation Services, leave condolences online.

The obituary was published in the Hartford Courant and the Villager Newspapers.

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