Karl L. Zimmerman

Karl L. Zimmerman DDS December 18, 1947 - April 20, 1013 Dr. Karl Zimmerman was taken from us unexpectedly April 20, 2013 at Carondelet St. Joseph's Hospital in Tucson. Karl was born in Iowa City, Iowa to Dr. George R. Zimmerman and Vivian Earp Zimmerman (both deceased). He is survived by his loving wife, partner and best friend, Barbara whom he married in 1977. He is also survived by brothers Dr. Kent (May Gin) Zimmerman, Mesa, whose sons Scott and Kevin live in Mesa and Tucson, and Dr. Jess Zimmerman of Puerto Rico. Many much loved aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws also survive and miss him deeply. Karl was educated at University High in Iowa City, Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, the University of New Orleans and Louisiana State University School of Dentistry where he graduated in 1986. For many years, he was a dental research technician at U of I School of Dentistry and LSUSD. He was the author and co-author of several research papers published in scholarly journals and presented his research at many national and international research meetings. During his junior year in dental school, he was elected president of the National Dental Student Research Association. As president, he established a national award that has become the highest honor a dental student can achieve for their research. The award still exists and has expanded in scope. He was also a veteran who served proudly as a medic in Vietnam in 1969-70. He established his dental practice in Tucson in 1986 with his wife at his side. It grew to be more than a practice, but a connection of love and caring for his patients. He firmly believed in helping his community and was heavily involved in donating his dental skills to those who had more need than funds. Karl donated his services to St. Elizabeth of Hungary Dental Clinic, Donated Dental Services, the TUSD Grayline Program for needy children, Give Kids a Smile, Youth On Their Own, and Hope Fest. He also served on the board of the Southern Arizona Dental Society and was a past president of the group. Karl was a man of many interests including botany, geology, archeology, poetry, fly fishing and travel. He was always happy to share his interests with anyone he could corral. He was able to revisit Vietnam. He and Barb traveled to Europe several times and did a twenty five days for twenty five years cross-continent rail trip from Vancouver to Nova Scotia to celebrate their 25th anniversary. He and Barb had many wonderful fly fishing vacations, and he always remarked that each trip was so rewarding because trout don't live in ugly places. He had a tremendous sense of humor and told jokes as much for himself as to lighten someone's day. His laugh was as wonderful and as big as his heart.