A great man and hero to all of us will be missed. Doug Zimmerman, Colonel, U.S.A. passed away on June 2, 2006 at the age of 51. Colonel Zimmerman was the husband of Renice Zimmerman who founded Southern States Rottweiler Rescue 9 years ago. They had been married for 24 years and have one son, Kent. Doug and Renice have been long time Rottweiler breed supporters, owners, were active in showing their Rottweilers in conformation and in participating in Rottweiler rescue efforts. Col. Zimmerman was a graduate of West Point, the United States Military Academy in New York state. He served his country with distinction in the United States Army, most recently attached to the Joint Forces Command in Norfolk VA. The passing of someone so young and vigorous is always a tragedy. It is our intent to turn Col. Zimmerman's passing into something positive for the breed he loved. To that end, Southern States Rescued Rottweilers is setting up the Colonel Douglas K. Zimmerman Memorial Fund for Special Needs SSRR Rottweilers as a permanent tribute.

I will remember you,
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by,
Weep not for the memories.
Sarah McLachlan

It's the Soldier, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press.

It's the Soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.

It's the Soldier, not the politicians that ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

It's the Soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag.

2 beloved pets the Zimmerman family shared their home with (now at the Bridge)

Ch. Groppetti G'nghes RazMaTazz

April 18, 2002 - Loved, owned and waiting at The Bridge for Doug and Renice Zimmerman (This photo was taken the day Razz finished his championship out of the 12-18 mo puppy class...it was a BEAUTIFUL day!) Razz joined his Rott'n surrogate *moms*, Ara and Beste at the Bridge today. All of you go hug your babies. We never have them long enough.

Betse

10-14-89 to 10-21-97.  Beste was the soul mate dog that only those special dogs can be. She was a star in the ring and raised the Mastiff puppies to be good dogs. She showed the world how good a good Rottweiler can be. Now she is at peace.  An angel dwelt in canine form, so many lives she blessed. For long and long she'll be recalled, Renice's loving Beste.

All donations to this memorial fund will be utilized for Special Needs rescued Rottweilers including but not limited to their veterinary care including vaccinations, surgeries, medications and rehabilitation.
 

If you would like to make a donation to the Colonel Douglas Zimmerman Memorial Fund, please make the check payable to Southern States Rescued Rottweilers and make a note of the Zimmerman Memorial Fund in the memo field.  Please mail contributions to:

Southern States Rescued Rottweilers
Katrin Sexton, SSRR Treasurer
PO Box 477 Harvest AL, 35749
 

Or you can submit via our PayPal account:

All contributions are tax deductible. Acknowledgement of your donation to this memorial fund will be mailed to you, along with notification to Col. Zimmerman's wife, Renice, with your condolences.

SSRR Board of Directors Bridgett Miller, James Morris, Katrin Sexton, Beth Butler, Becky Paxson & Dee Pennington

OBITUARY from Daily Press June 7th, 2006

Douglas Kent Zimmerman II YORKTOWN - Col. Douglas Kent Zimmerman, II, U.S. Army, 51, passed away Friday, June 2, 2006. Col. Zimmerman was a native of Topeka, Kan., and a Peninsula resident for the last 3 ½ years, coming to Yorktown from Vicksburg, Miss. Col. Zimmerman was a graduate of The United States Military Academy, West Point, New York Class of 1978, and a graduate of the Army War College, Class of 2004. He was currently assigned to the Warfighting Center, Joint Force Command, Suffolk, Va. He is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Renice A. Zimmerman; his son, Douglas Kent Zimmerman, III of Yorktown; his father, William Carl Zimmerman and his wife, Cynthia of Temecula, Calif.; and his mother, Beverly Jones Zimmerman of Northern California. He is also survived by two brothers, Robert Zimmerman of Northern California, 2nd Lt. Casey Zimmerman of Fort Benning, Ga.; four sisters, Susan Savva and Mary Ludwick of Northern California, Abigail Ettinger of Pasadena, Calif., Elizabeth Zimmerman of Kansas; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral Mass will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 7, 2006, at the Regimental Chapel on Fort Eustis with Father Vincent Douglass officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, in Amory Funeral Home, Grafton. A graveside service with full military honors will be held in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Col. Zimmerman Memorial Fund, Southern States Rescued Rottweilers, Inc., Attn: Katrin Sexton, Treasurer, P.O. Box 477, Harvest, AL 35749.

Thank you to the following donors:

David & Dawn Chase
Jane Calhoun
Ann Ward
Dee & Lee Pennington
Bridgett & Sean Miller
David Rich
Katrin Sexton
Becky Paxson
Valerie Brown
Susan Eberhardt
Rhonda Waters
Ross (Sarge) Jennings
Jacqueline Batterson
Terri Johnson
Linda Thompson
Marguerite Matter
Dr. & Mrs. Ronald Mark Landress (in honor of Dr. Landress' beloved companion Kato)
Glenda & Charles Campbell