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Bob Zimmerman passed away on November 25th at the age of 87. He was a long-time member of both The Packard Club and Packards International. For many years he was the director and the editor of the Mid-West Region of PI in Akron, Ohio. Bob had one of the largest Packard postcard collections around, and was a frequent presence at various swap meets.

I have copied the obituary, below, and have attached a photo I took of Bob in 2000 with his 1954 Patrician in Warren, Ohio, as the photo that goes with the obituary is rather bad. He will be greatly missed.

beaconjournal.com/obituaries/pwoo0641036

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  Zimmerman, Bob 2000 (SRB).jpg (268.99 KB)

My condolences

This is a tremendous loss to the Packard hobby. Bob was the most knowledgeable collector and seller of Packard literature that I ever met. He also donated a large collection of Packards ads to this site.

My first dealing with Bob was back in the 70s, shortly after I discovered my father's retired 56 Executive hardtop sitting in a field. After seeing his ad in Cars & Parts magazine, I wrote to inquire about a sales brochure, which would be my first Packard purchase. To my delight, the brochure that Bob sent bore the ink stamp of the dealer, Bell Motors, where my dad worked and purchased the car, brand-new.

It would be a good 15 years before I actually met Bob at his table at the wonderful Perrysburg meet and told him about that coincidence.

Any time he spotted me at a swap meet, he would walk right up and shake my hand like he had known me forever. One year at Hershey, he asked, "by the way, what club do you belong to?" When I replied, "PAC", he replied "well I belong to PI - I shouldn't even be talking to you." Knowing he belonged to both clubs, we both bust out laughing. Nicest guy in the hobby.

Godspeed Bob Zimmerman.

From a new member, I really appreciate you sharing this sad news. My devoted hobby feels a little more special this morning.

Bob was a terrific, helpful gent, the real article. A most genuine and enthused hobbyist and steward of history.

Bob sounded young, timeless. Couldn't agree more w/ the above posters, and BlakesPackards well sums it; the hobby feeling smaller on learning the above. Losing such keepers of the flame akin to loss of the factory itself.

Caramba. Godspeed Robert Zimmerman.

Rest in peace, Bobby Z.