Rj Zimmer “Zim”, 63, passed away on April 21, 2015 in Helena, MT. He left this world with the same courage, fearlessness, and grace with which he lived his life
Zim’s life began on April 16, 1952 in Chelsea, MA and his hometown was Acton, MA near Boston. After high school Zim’s sense of curiosity and adventure led him to explore the country, hitchhiking the Pacific Northwest and Canada several times. Zim eventually settled in Corvallis, Oregon where he raised his two children.
In 1977, he began land surveying in Oregon and building a career that focused on Geographic Information Systems (GIS). He received many awards and accolades for his accomplishments and innovative thinking. During his time working in Corvallis, OR he helped transform and modernize mapping for the local county government.
In the late 90’s Zim moved to Montana where he participated in the Helena and regional community, including proudly serving as City-County GIS Manager and volunteering his GIS and mapping services to the local fire districts.
In 2012, Zim earned a Masters of Geomatics Engineering degree from the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, N.B. Canada. This was a longtime dream and one of his proudest accomplishments. He also had a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering physics from Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. He shared his extensive knowledge and experience with others by —presenting at professional conferences and by teaching in both Oregon and at Carroll College in Helena.
Zim was an accomplished and respected author. His articles were published in American Surveyor magazine, Surveying and Land Information Systems (SALIS) journal, and Professional Surveyor magazine. His book “GIS for Surveyors: A Land Surveyor’s Introduction to Geographic Information Systems” was published in 2013 and has been recognized as an authoritative resource for professionals in the field.
His love of the natural world informed both his professional life and his many passions and interests. Zim found peace and harmony in nature, he loved to spend time hiking mountains and camping in the woods. He was a strong advocate for the protection of wildlife and land conservation. He valued a healthy lifestyle, enjoying fitness and a variety of sports. Zim expressed his creative spirit through guitar playing, composing music, and photography.
He will be remembered and carried in the hearts of those who knew him. May he find peace and many mountains to explore.
Per Zim’s request, any contributions or donations can be made in his name to Helena Food Share 1616 Lewis St, Helena, MT 59601and The Defenders of Wildlife Attn: Plan Giving Dept. 1130 17th Street Northwest Washington, D.C. 20036.
A celebration of his life will take place at his home Saturday, May 2, 2015, 2:00 p.m., located at 9063 Douglas Circle, Helena, MT.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 p.m.
Saturday May 2, 2015
The Family's Home
9063 Douglas Circle
Helena , Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 p.m.
Saturday May 2, 2015
The Family's Home
9063 Douglas Circle
Helena , Montana 59602
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Mrs. Tulasi (tul-see) Zimmer says
I am so lucky to have found my soul mate and Zim will always have my love and a place in my heart.
I offer my sincere condolences to family and all of the friends, colleagues, and acquaintances in Zim’s life. I know you will miss having him in your life as much as I will. – Tulasi
Kathy Moore says
Tulasi,
I think of Zim today and always with a smile. It was hard not to smile around Zim! Knowing him has made my life a brighter place.
I offer you and Zim’s family my love and prayers – Kathy
mary anne simpson says
Dear Tulasi:
I am so sorry for your loss. While we lost track of one another over the years, I vividly recall the gentle understanding expressed between you and your soul-mate Zim. You and he were fortunate to find one another. Best always, Mary Anne
Phil Clark says
Tulasi,
Zim was my instructor at Linn-Benton Community College nearly 20 years ago and had a profound impact on my professional career. He became my mentor and helped me gain all the employment opportunities I’ve had in the drafting (CAD) industry. We worked on several programming projects in Corvallis and he inspired and helped develop my love for AutoCAD programming. When he moved to Helena, he recommended me to take over the class he taught; a position I hold to this day.
I will never forget all that I learned from him.
My condolences go out to you and all of your family and friends.
Kate Lamping says
Zim introduced me to GIS as he brought the City/County program from its’ infancy to near where it is today. His tenacious but gentle persona managed to get many groups, personalities and governments to come into the 21st century. His stories of the Rocky Mountain Front inspire me to hike there to this day. A good guy gone way too soon, my prayers to his family.
Pamela Case says
Tulasi
I am so sorry for your loss. Zim embodied presence, dedication, sharing and learning and brought his enthusiasm for all things spatial to the rest of us, kind of like a booster vaccination shot in the arm – infectious! He left us with so much to remember him by. I am very grateful to have known and learned from Zim. He left us a legacy of knowledge. Thank you for sharing him. What a sad loss.
Stewart Nash says
My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Zim. As a surveyor, he not only taught me, but many other surveyors about the importance and potential of GIS. He always met me with a smile at our surveyor conferences, and when I had occasion to walk into his office at the courthouse. God Bless and give you comfort as you seek His encouragement.
Gail (Zimmer) McDaniel says
Ever the philosopher, my brother showed me how to handle the pain of losing him.
“We come to know exhilaration when we follow our Passion, including those you fiercely love. But what happens when you follow your Pain? If you are willing………
Dive deeply into it. Sit with it and allow it to do its work, for it is here you will find your release. ”
Rj Zimmer
4/11/15
Patricia Paul says
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.”
-Irish proverb
Marcelo Santos says
I am sad to hear about Zim’s passage. We enjoyed having him as a student and as a colleague during his studies at UNB. To family and friends our condolences.
Marcelo Santos
Chair – Department of Geodesy and Geomatics Engineering
University of New Brunswick
Alaeldin Suliman says
I am really sorry to hear that about Zim’s passage. He was my friend, colleague and my student in the same time. All of the GGE grad-students enjoyed having him with us. He was so passionate about his profession and his study at UNB. To all of his family and friends, we reveal our condolences.
Alaeldin Suliman
PhD candidate at GGE/UNB
Marcus Idoko says
Zim was my classmate in Geographic Databases Class during my MEng program in UNB, he was an ardent lover of knowledge and related smoothly with everyone and willing to support anyone at the point of need. He was such a nice person that will be missed by many. I wish his family the fortitude to bear this great loss and may his gentle soul rest in peace.
Adelia Parker-Castro says
Precious Tulasi,
It has been a long time since our last hug. Time for another. You and Zim claimed a corner of my heart the first day I visited your home. There in his computer room on his desk right beside the computer screen was a beautiful 8×10 photo of his love, you!!! And the day I photographed your wedding the glow I’d experienced when you two were in the room, was blinding. Those fond memories have lifted my spirits many many times, and now I must call them forth to lift this sadness of his passing. What a wonderful gift you two were to one another, may that memory continue to bring you peace. We visit together soon. I love you.
Carol Cunningham says
My sympathies to the family. I had not been in touch with my cousin Zim in many years but felt connected for I heard from his sisters what was going on and all his many accomplishments. He has left a wonderful mark in his life time for many people.
Zim,
May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
And the rains fall soft upon your fields
And until we meet again, May God hold you in palm of His hand. Irish Blessing
Cousin Carol and family
Curtis Liesenfelt says
I am so saddened to have learned about the passing of my friend RJ Zimmerman 10 years ago.
I met Zim when I took a land surveying job with a company in Albany, OR in February 1985. That lasted about 2 years and our professional lives diverged for a couple of years until we both worked for the Benton County Land Surveyors Office. That lasted for about 9 years until he left for Helena MT. We lost touch after that. I may be driving through MT in the next few weeks and was considering looking him up for a short visit. Now it’s too late, but I have many fond memories of him. To me he was truly a renaissance man and a good friend. The world will be a bit darker place without him in it.