Donald Zimmerman  '45 

Dr. Donald C. Zimmerman suffered a fatal heart attack January 21, 2005 at age 77.  Friends and family of Dr. Zimmerman gathered on February 12, 2005 to celebrate the life of the distinguished oral surgeon with lifelong ties to Pasadena and the Southern California area.

Born in Los Angeles in 1927, he was raised in Pasadena, attended South Pasadena High School, and graduted from Cate School in Carpinteria in 1945.  A youthful veteran of World War II, he joined the U.S. Navy at age 17 in time to serve in the Pacific at war's end.  After returning to civilian life, Dr. Zimmerman enrolled at Pomona College, where he was a cheerleader, member of the track and swimming teams, and Kappa Delta fraternity.  Following graduation from Pomona in 1950, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons (now the University of the Pacific's School of Dentistry) in San Francisco, receiving his DDS degree in 1954.  He received an MS degree from the Univeristy of Minnesota's Mayo Foundation in 1957.  Widely known throughout California dentistry circles during his 36-year career, Dr. Zimmerman commenced private practice in Palo Alto in 1958 and retired to the Central Coast in 1994.

Over the ensuing years, he served as well in many teaching capacities, including clinical assistant professor of surgery at Stanford University and associate clinical professor at UOP's school of dentistry.  He was a prominent participant in affairs of numerous professional groups, including fellow of the American College of Dentists, member of the American Society of Oral Surgeons, and a past president of the dental society on the San Francisco peninsula.  Dr. Zimmerman is survived by Elizabeth, his wife of 25 yerars, two daughters from his first marriage to the late Janet Espolt; Jane Ettinger of South Pasadena and Ann Kern of Palo Alto; a sister Zoe Gunzel of Corona del Mar; three stepchildren, eight grandchildren and step-grandchildren.