Harold L. Zimmermann

Harold L. Zimmermann, 96, passed away peacefully March 30, 2026 in Austin. He was a quiet and friendly man with a dry sense of humor, who wouldn't want a long obituary written about him. He was a devoted husband to Melrose for over 70 years. With her he raised two boys, Byron and Alan, being as good a Dad as anyone could want. He played ball in the backyard, was assistant coach of their Little League team, and taught the finer points of lawn mowing. He was helpful with homework, particularly the science and math classes.

Harold was born in Port Arthur, Texas on February 16, 1930. He attended Nederland High School, and then Texas Lutheran College for 2 years. Drafted during a break in his college schooling, he served 2 years in the US Army, stationed in Germany and France. He earned a B.S. in Chemistry at the University of Texas at Austin. He worked 26 years as a chemist in the quality control lab at a major polyethylene plant in Port Arthur; then after layoffs at that plant, he worked at a handful of other chemist jobs -- one particularly enjoyable job was as at one-person lab in a trailer. He then ended his working years in the QC lab at a major polyethylene plant in Beaumont. During their years in Port Arthur, he and Melrose were members of St. John Lutheran Church. In retirement, they eventually left their Port Arthur home of 44 years and moved to Austin, where they were members of Ascension Lutheran Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lee G. and Ella Bailey Zimmermann, brothers Daniel, Raymond Lynn, and James, and stillborn son Harold II. He is survived by his wife Ruth Melrose Knebel Zimmermann, sons Byron and Alan (wife Annamaria), and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Meals on Wheels Central Texas or Central Texas Food Bank.

Visitation will be held at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX 78752, US, on April 6, 2026, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, followed by a Funeral Service at Cook-Walden Funeral Home from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm.

A Committal Service will take place at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 500 Immanuel Rd, Pflugerville, TX 78660, US, on April 6, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm.