Henry Zimmer, 79
June 8, 1932 — Nov. 24, 2011

Henry Tedrick “Ted” Zimmer, of Naples, Fla., South Bend, Ind., and Niles, passed away quietly on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 24, 2011, after a long illness.
Ted was born on June 8, 1932, in South Bend, Ind., spending most of his growing up years in Niles, where he and his family were members of the First Presbyterian Church.  Enjoying his boyhood with two brothers, John and Charley, he also gained lifelong friendships attending Michigan Camps Eberhart and Tosebo.  He received his preparatory education at The Hill School in Pottstown, Penn., graduating in 1951.  That was followed by his college years at Cornell University, where he studied within the School of Hotel Administration and graduated in 1955 with a degree in arts and sciences, and the rank of 2nd lieutenant in the United States Air Force ROTC.  Ted was active in Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, the Red Key Honorary Society, the internationally known a cappella singing group, Cayuga’s Waiters, Glee Club, Scabbard and Blade (Honorary Society for Reserve Officers Training Corps) and Arnold Air Society (Honorary Society for Air Force ROTC).
Ted entered into service with the Air Force shortly after his graduation from Cornell.  He married his longtime sweetheart, Carolyn, was called into active duty, and together they relocated first to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, then to Colchester, Essex, England, where he was stationed at Wethersfield Air Force Base.
Returning to the states in December of 1958 with Carolyn and son, Jeffrey, he received an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and remained as Captain in the Air Force Reserve through June 1963.
The family settled in South Bend, Ind., where they had two more children, Lauren and Tom. Ted worked as chairman of the family business, Portage Oil Company, and served on the board of several, local businesses.  He was an eager volunteer in South Bend doing such things as helping to establish a nursery preschool, serving as president of the baseball little league, and remaining an active parent at The Stanley Clark School, where the children attended.
Summers were spent at the Zimmer family home on Walloon Lake, near Petoskey.  Ted loved being on the water, loved to shoot skeet, and enjoyed many hunting excursions to northern Michigan.   He loved playing golf and tennis, keeping active at the South Bend Country Club.  Many evenings were spent dining and dancing at the Pickwick Club in Niles.  Thanksgiving was a favorite holiday of Ted’s, always spent in the company of family and friends, and highlighted by a Niles neighborhood football game.  He had an enduring affection for all sports and sporting events that continued throughout his life.
Ted and Carolyn lived in Niles for many years then settled in Naples, Fla., in the early 1980’s.  Ted received several service and employee awards working for the Inn of Naples until 2005.
Ted was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Jean Johnson Zimmer, who passed away in May 1995; his parents, Lucile Housh Zimmer Morse and Henry Wenzel Zimmer, both originally from Kansas City; and his brothers, infant David Housh Zimmer;  John Wenzel Zimmer and wife, Sarah “Sally” Olert Zimmer.  He is survived by his brother Charles Frank Zimmer and wife, Gail; son, Jeffrey Johnson Zimmer and wife, Susan; daughter, Lauren Louise Zimmer Reidy, and husband, Tim; son, Thomas Tedrick Zimmer and wife, Langdon.  He also has six grandchildren: Carolyn Madeline and Isabella Lucille Zimmer; Eleanor Louise and Mitchell Johnson Reidy; Henry Housh and Anne-Charles Zimmer; and many more nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held in Ted’s honor on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, at 1:30 p.m.
The service will be held at Moorings Presbyterian Church, Naples, Fla.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in Ted’s name to Moorings Presbyterian Church, 791 Harbour Drive, Naples, FL, 34103, Phone: (239) 261-1487; or Manor Care, Lakewood, 3601 Lakewood Boulevard Naples, FL 34112, Phone: (239) 775-7757.