Otto Richard Zimmerman Jr.

Otto Richard Zimmerman, Jr., age 95, died Friday, November 24, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. Those who knew him recognized him as a man of integrity and honor who lived a life of service and commitment to his family, friends, and community.

The only son of Ruby and Otto Zimmerman raised in Ridgefield, New Jersey, he graduated from the College of Forestry at Syracuse University, then enlisted in the US Army for three years during the Korean War. Always focused on the environment, nature, and progress, he started Three Bridges Nursery in Hunterdon County, NJ, as his first business then moved his wife and young family to the western region of New York. First moving to Penfield and then to a farm in Rose while working for the Soil Conservation Service where he started a drainage program, consulted, and co-created many parks and nature centers, including Blue Cut nature center. He also worked for the developers who created the community of Gananda, in Wayne County. Later in his career, he single-handedly introduced soybeans to Northern New York while employed by Cornell University working at SUNY Agricultural and Technical College in Canton. Concurrently, he designed and oversaw the construction of new houses, five of the eight times he moved over the course of his adult life. Constantly emphasizing the importance of civic duty and responsibility he also served on town planning boards wherever he lived.

His love for hunting and traveling brought him on many adventures. He hunted across the US, as well as Alberta, British Columbia, and New Zealand. Family trips/summer vacations included, driving cross country with his family visiting friends, National parks, historical monuments, the Jersey shore and so much more, creating countless memories. After living in Canton, NY since 1979, he retired as owner of Pack ‘n Paddle. He and Mary then joined the Peace Corps, and later VOCA as an agricultural specialist and traveled to Guatemala, Slovakia, Belize, and the Dominican Republic. They also volunteered in several National Forests and Parks to include Jackson Hole, Guadalupe, Big Bend, LBJ Ranch, and the Congaree National Forest in South Carolina near Abbeville, where they settled for the next 25 years.

At home, he could always be found landscaping, trimming or propagating plants that he may have clipped or gathered from anywhere, to create better habitat for birds, bats, and other wildlife. Or creating some ingenious gadget or system to build or fix almost anything; a resourceful “MacGyver-type”, likely a result of growing up during the Great Depression. But mostly he was committed to his family. Sundays always started with him making pancakes for his girls then reading them the funny pages from the newspaper. He spent many years supporting Mary’s Girl Scout troops in Rose, NY, be it camping on the farm, packing, or chauffeuring to events and excursions. As his girls grew, weekends would be spent hiking, paddling, skiing, or some other adventure across central and northern New York/the Adirondacks, always sharing his love of nature and the importance of taking care of our planet.

Affectionately known as Rich, Richie, Zim, Dick, Otto, Dad, Grandpa or simply “O” (as the Omnipotent One in his later years to those who truly admired him), he was so much to so many. The door was always open be it in his office, the field, his place of business, or his home. He was always willing to stop and discuss any thoughts, ideas, tell/listen to a story or matters at hand; openly sharing words of wisdom and encouragement. In his presence one would not only recognize his acuity and honorability, but also his genuineness and commitment to present and future generations. Quick-witted, he also enjoyed a good laugh and kept his sense of humor right up until the end. The continued love and commitment he showed for his wife over the past decade (particularly after her stroke in 2016 which resulted in their return to northern NY) is unparalleled. Be it doing physical therapy, sharing gifts from his pocket of sweets, tucking her in at night always with a kiss, or just keeping a watchful eye, he was always by her side. Again, it was this interest and concern for others that was most evident, always sending photo postcards of adventures, current events, his blooming plants, or articles of interest with advice or suggestions to those important to him. He had regular contact with all the widows and families left behind by dear friends that went before him, insuring they were OK and upheld the dedication he had to those relationships. Even until hours before his passing he inquired about others well-being, their families, and lives.

He will be mostly missed by his family, especially his wife Mary (Greenleaf) of 61 years, also his daughters Wendy Bacon (Randy), Carol Zimmerman, Susan Zimmerman (Kelly), and Sharon Zimmerman (Glenn) as well as his grandchildren, David Bacon, Holly Cooley (Dave), Daniel Zimmerman and great granddaughter, Calilynn Cooley. In our tree of life, he was not only the strength of the trunk and the branches that provided protection from the elements, but also the roots, the leaves and the fruit that grounded us, taught us to absorb the sun and nourished us to grow. This iconic man has left a legacy of progress, knowledge and wisdom and a deep impression on all who have known him.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Earthjustice.org in his memory. There will be calling hours on December 22nd at the Garner Funeral Service from 11:30-12:30. There will be a memorial service held at the funeral home at 12:30. Condolences for the Zimmerman family can be shared @www.garnerfh.com.