Robert Hans “Zip” Zinszer, 81, of Tyler, Texas succumbed to cancer on Friday, June 5, 2020 surrounded by beloved family members.
He was born October 13, 1938 in San Pedro, California, the son of Richard “Dick” H. and Mildred “Mitzy” R. (Hall) Zinszer.
During his youth, Robert’s parents lived in Saudi Arabia, giving him the opportunity to attend high school in Rome, Italy where his experiences and escapades begot delightful stories cherished by his children and grandchildren. Also, in his youth and early adulthood, he spent time in Hays, Kansas, being particularly fond of the time he lived and worked on his Hall grandparents’ Sweetwater Ranch. Later he joined the military, enlisting in the United States Army where he served as a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne, stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. It was during a weekend furlough, where at a Humpty Dumpty Drive-In Robert would meet his future bride, Margo Matlock, whom he married on April 16, 1960 in Parkers Settlement, Indiana. After leaving his service in the U.S. Army, he later graduated from Fort Hays State University.
Prior to moving to Tyler, Texas in 2018, Robert and Margo lived in Pocatello, Idaho for 31 years. In 1994 he retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture as an Assistant State Conservationist, concluding a 30-year career in the Soil Conservation Service. Other locations he served and lived during his career were the Kansas communities of Smith Center, Greensburg, Osborne, Strong City, and Emporia, as well as Carbondale, Illinois.
An avid gun enthusiast, fisherman, and ham-radio operator, Robert was also a card player with a special fondness for cribbage, poker, and “hand & foot”. Robert especially enjoyed motorcycling and camping and was a frequent visitor to Yellowstone National Park and its surrounding area of which he often described the landscape as “good-looking country”. His love for this area led him and Margo to build their Zinszer Family Cabin outside of Island Park, Idaho in 1994, a place where they made lasting memories with family and friends.
Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years; Margo L. Zinszer of Tyler, TX, two sons; Randy Zinszer and wife Cheryl of Flower Mound, TX, and Shawn Zinszer and wife Kori of Jacksonville, FL, a daughter; Kimberly Stapp and husband Gary of Tyler, TX, seven grandchildren; Lacey Stapp, Taylor Stapp and wife Jessie, Riley Zinszer, Carly Zinszer, Brennan Zinszer, Dallon Zinszer, and Kelsey Zinszer, and two brothers; Kendal Zinszer and wife Judy of Anderson, IN, and Kim Zinszer of Hays, Kansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents; Professor Harvey A. and Laura M. (Laudenslager) Zinszer and Robert L. and Edith (Irwin) Hall, and his sister Toni Kay Zinszer.
Graveside services will be at 9:00 am on Saturday, May 29, 2021 in Mt. Allen Cemetery, Hays, with military honors by the Hays VFW Honor Guard Post #9076. Memorials are suggested to Fort Hays State University, in care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, Hays, Kansas. Condolences and memories of Robert may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com