George E. Zimmerman, 88, of Oneonta, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2009 at his home after a brief illness.


George was born February 14, 1921 in Berwindale, Pennsylvania to George E. Zimmerman, Sr., a mining engineer, and Genevieve Zimmerman, née Straw. As a youth, George had summer jobs in the mines for the R&P Coal Co. and was working toward a civilian pilot's license at the onset of World War II.


A Navy veteran, George served with the Pacific Fleet, Air Wing II, as a Photographer's Mate aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S.. Cowpens (CVL-25) and saw action in numerous campaigns, including Wake Island, Iwo Jima, and the Battle of the Phillippines Sea. During the Korean War he served aboard the carrier U.S.S. Block Island (CVE-106) in the Caribbean. More recently, he was pleased to take part in an Honor Flight to visit the WWII and Korean War monuments in Washington, D.C.


George graduated from the State Teachers College at Indiana, Pennsylvania in 1947 with a degree in Art Education. In 1950, he received his Masters of Fine Arts degree from the University of Iowa. He joined the faculty at the State University College at Oneonta in 1954, where he spent over thirty years as a professor of Studio Art and Art History. Beginning his career in Old Main, George was part of the expansion of the college to its current size and location. He created the photography program and served as Chair of the Art Department for several years. Deeply committed to teaching and the ideals of a broadly based liberal arts education, he also won several prestigious scholarly awards and displayed his work in numerous exhibitions during the course of his career.


On June 12, 1948, George married Helen Uhler in Indiana, Pennsylvania. Throughout his life he took joy in everyday things: fishing, his rose garden, University of Iowa football games; he had a special gift for home improvement, decorating Christmas trees and wrapping presents. He was an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Oneonta.


George is survived by Helen Zimmerman, his wife of 61 years; his son, Joseph Zimmerman of Munich, Germany; his son and daughter-in-law, David and Huong Zimmerman of Flagstaff, Arizona; his grandson, Raphael Zimmerman of Las Vegas, Nevada; his grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Philip and Melissa Zimmerman of Munich, Germany; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his daughter, Shelley Rae Zimmerman; his sister, Mildred Zimmerman; his sister, LaVerne Forest of Sparks, Nevada; and his brother, Robert Zimmerman of San Diego, California.


As an artist, teacher, husband, father and friend, George touched many lives over the years. He will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by all who knew him. In memory of George's generous spirit, please consider a donation, in lieu of flowers, to Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care or the Martin-Mullen Fine Art Gallery in care of the College at Oneonta Foundation.

A Celebration of Life ceremony for George will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 296 Main Street in Oneonta at 2 p.m. Monday, August 10, 2009.


To sign the online guest book or to send a condolance, visit, www.lhpfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements are by the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, 51 Dietz St., Oneonta.