The Reverend Dr. Robert “Bob” Zimmerli of East Boothbay died on November 5, 2015, surrounded by love.

He was born August 29, 1925 to Robert Zimmerli and Isabelle (Smith ) Zimmerli in Washington, D.C.

Bob was educated in the D.C. public schools and had early training and music and printing. During high school at age 17, Bob enlisted in the Navy and served as a sonar man aboard the U.S.S. YMS 224, a minesweeper, from 1943 to 1946, serving in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. After returning from the service, Bob completed high school and continued working in his printing and music careers, teaching printing at McKinley High School in Washington, D.C.

Bob was involved in music, playing percussion instruments, and playing with two symphony orchestras and also played with many Big Bands, jazz and swing combos. He did stand-up comedy in D.C. and had three radio shows on D.C. radio stations, including a weekly two-hour live variety show broadcast to high school and college students.

Bob said that “as youngster my goals were to be printing and music – and I had those wishes fulfilled, but after seeing the horrors of war, I felt I was called to ministry and so continued my education in that direction.” To that end, Bob received his bachelor of arts from the American University, Washington, D.C., his master of divinity from Candler School of Theology, his doctor of ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary, and post graduate studies at Gallaudet University, all in Washington, D.C.

After meeting and marrying the love of his life, Mary Jo Morris, Bob raised his family and worked as an ordained United Methodist minister, was district superintendent for many churches and served on several district, conference and national boards. Bob taught in leadership school and Schools of Christian Mission throughout the U.S.

Bob and Mary Jo moved to the Boothbay region 1996, where Bob became active in the local American Legion Post , Masonic Lodge as a 32nd Degree Mason, and the Boothbay Region Alumni/Community Band and Hallowell Band, as well as an active member of the East Boothbay United Methodist Church.

Bob was predeceased by his wife of 57 years.

He is survived by his son, Wesley Zimmerli and his wife, Lisa, of Woodbine, Maryland, and his daughter, Laurie Zimmerli and her partner, Ann Prost, of Arnold, Maryland.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hall’s of Boothbay, 975 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 12 at the First United Methodist Church of Boothbay Harbor, Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s name to the East Boothbay United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 11, East Boothbay, ME 04544, or to The St. Andrews Building Fund, St. Andrews Village, 145 Emery Lane, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.

Hall’s of Boothbay has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences, light a candle for Bob, or to share a story or pictures, please visit his Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.