The Reverend Dr. Roger William Zimmerman passed away peacefully on Friday, June 5, 2026, at the age of 88 in Newtown, Connecticut.

Roger was born on May 22, 1938, in Hillsboro, Illinois, to William Keiser Zimmerman and Kathryn (Barkema) Zimmerman. He was raised on the family farm in Harvel, where a strong sense of faith and community shaped the course of his life.

As a young man, Roger enjoyed playing the piano and trombone, serving as president of the Christian Youth Fellowship of the Disciples of Christ Church in Illinois, participating in Future Farmers of America, and attending Harvel Christian Church.

After graduating from Raymond High School in 1956, he attended Eureka College, a Disciples of Christ institution, before transferring to Stanford University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts with honors in History in 1960. His love of history remained a lifelong passion.

Roger continued his studies at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, earning his Divinity degree in 1963. That same year, he was ordained at Harvel Christian Church, beginning more than 50 years of ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). But Union offered more than an academic challenge. There he met Mary (Magovern), the love of his life. They married in 1965 and were blessed with three children: Mark, Kathryn and Mary Beth.

From 1963 to 1965, Roger worked through the World Council of Churches with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in West Berlin. Following his time in Germany, he served as interim assistant minister at the American Church in Paris. He later earned his Doctor of Theology degree from Boston University School of Theology in 1970.

Roger touched countless lives through his vocation as a minister. After Mary’s ordination in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1975, they found great joy in serving churches together throughout their careers, including congregations in Newton Centre, Massachusetts; Alton, New Hampshire; Hyattsville, Maryland; Bloomington, Illinois; Corvallis, Oregon; Louisville, Kentucky; and Lynchburg, Virginia. Roger was especially honored to be named Pastor Emeritus of First Christian Church in Lynchburg.

In 2003, he and Mary retired to the Berkshires in East Otis, Massachusetts, at their home on Big Pond, a place Roger often described as “heaven on earth”. During retirement, they loved hosting countless friends and family from across the country. Roger continued his ministry as interim pastor of South Congregational Church in Springfield, Massachusetts. In addition, he worked as a docent at the Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts. In 2017, they moved to Reeds Landing in Springfield, where Roger continued to be active following Mary's death in 2018. To be closer to family, he moved to Newtown, Connecticut in February 2026.

Known for his energy, optimism, and infectious smile, Roger lived with a profound faith and a deep love for others. He had a remarkable gift for connecting with people and offered genuine care and kindness to everyone he met. He found joy in life's simple pleasures and treasured his early morning routines. He loved reading multiple daily newspapers, watching sunsets over Big Pond, and enjoying the beauty of nature on walks and hikes. Music was one of his great passions. A lifelong lover of classical music, he especially enjoyed summer evenings listening to concerts from the lawn at Tanglewood and cherished the choir and organ music at church. Whether in nature, in worship, or among family and friends, Roger embraced life's moments with gratitude and enthusiasm.

Roger was a steady source of encouragement to family and friends, often reminding them to "trust the process." His curiosity and love of learning never waned throughout his 88 years. Above all, he cherished time spent with his family, grandchildren, and many dear friends.

His legacy of love, compassion, and kindness will live on in the many lives he touched.

Roger is survived by his son, Mark Zimmerman and his wife, Robin, of Bedford, Virginia; his daughters, Kathryn Zimmerman and her husband, Jeff Fligelman, of Redding, Connecticut, and Mary Beth Whittle and her husband, John, of Louisville, Kentucky; his five grandchildren, Meghan Zimmerman, Ben Fligelman, and Jack, Kate, and Anna Whittle; his sisters-in-law, Martha Zimmerman and Lois Magovern; his brothers-in-law, Robert Magovern and his wife, Peggy, of Salem, Connecticut, and Charlie Magovern and his wife, Florence, of Boulder, Colorado; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years, Mary; his parents, Bill and Kathryn; his brother, Don; and his sister, Faith Marie, as well as his in-laws, John and Dorothy Magovern.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 2:00 pm, at First Congregational Church, 18 Broad Street, Westfield, Massachusetts. A private interment will take place at Otis Center Cemetery.

Memorial gifts in Roger’s name can be made to First Congregational Church, 18 Broad Street, Westfield, MA 01085 or Christian Unity and Interfaith Ministry, PO Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206.