Dr. Leon Zimmerman

Leon W. Zimmerman, M.D., died suddenly and peacefully on Friday July 22, 2005, at his home in West Hartford. Dr. Zimmerman was born Sept. 9, 1909, in Kansas City, KS, the eldest child of the late Herman E. and Anna Scott Zimmerman of that city. He received his medical degree from the University of Kansas on June 10, 1935 and entered medical practice as a general practitioner in southwestern Kansas. During World War II, he was stationed at Port Moresby, New Guinea, for 18 months as an Army doctor. Upon his return from overseas, he served as a flight surgeon for the Army Air Force at several flight training bases in the southwestern United States. After leaving the Army in 1947, Dr. Zimmerman moved his young family to Connecticut and became board certified in ophthalmology June 10, 1953. He conducted a private practice and served as a member of the medical staff of Hartford Hospital for 45 years. This included service to Newington Children's Hospital and the Veterans' Hospital in Rocky Hill for some years. He was elected a fellow in the American Academy of Ophthalmology in 1981. For the last 25 years of his medical practice, he was with Consulting Ophthalmologists, Inc., finally retiring at the age of 90. On that occasion colleagues honored him by placing an inscribed bench in the Memorial Garden of Hartford Hospital. He also received a citation for 50 years of practice from the Hartford County Medical Association. As a youth, Dr. Zimmerman was active in the Boy Scout movement, earning Eagle Scout rank in 1927 with Troop 5, Kansas City, KS. He served as Assistant Scoutmaster for the Heart-of-America Troop which traveled by ship to attend the 1929 International Scout Jamborees in England where he met Baden Powell, founder of scouting. Although medical practice kept him away for some years, his scouting resumed in 1965 and continued for more than 35 years with Troop 163 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, West Hartford, which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary. He shared his scout experiences as a youth and young man with scouts and leaders often over the years, and contributed his time and talents to such activities as First Aid Merit Badge reviews, 50-mile hikes and Memorial Day parades. He served the troop as assistant scoutmaster and committee member, and was a member-at-large for the Mark Twain District of the Connecticut Rivers Council from which he received the Silver Beaver the highest award in scouting and James E. West awards. He received the Gold Key from The Nutmeg District, B.S.A. At the time of his death, he was an active member of the Eagle Review Board of the Connecticut Rivers Council, and a frequent participant in Troop 163 Court of Honor ceremonies. An avid and gifted letter writer, he maintained correspondence with scouts from the 1929 Jamboree, and cherished his ongoing contact with many Eagle scouts. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 65 years, Marybeth Mary E. McManis, his younger brother, Carl H. Zimmerman of Kansas City, KS, his younger sister, Dorothy Robinson of Hemet, CA; and his younger son, Dale Wayne Zimmerman. He is survived by his elder son, Carl Scott Zimmerman of Kirkwood, MO; daughter, Mary Beth Mathews of Columbus, OH and West Hartford; daughter, Kay Ruth Combs of Cumberland, RI; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Dr. Zimmerman donated his body to medical science; Molloy Funeral Home assisted with arrangements. The family will schedule a memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to The Zimmerman-Diehm Fund, Boy Scout Troop 163, c/o Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2080 Boulevard, West Hartford, CT 06107.

Dr. Leon Zimmerman

September 9, 1909 - July 22, 2005