Colonel Robert R. Zimmerman

Colonel Robert R. Zimmerman USMC, (Retired) was born 9 October 1950 has passed to eternal life with our Father in Heaven with his loving family by his side. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Bonnie Zimmerman; Robert’s daughters: Chanda, Christina; son, Rocky; Robert’s brother, Ronald Zimmerman; and Bonnie’s son, Christopher; and six grandchildren: Claudia, J.R., Ryan, Lincoln, Kai, and Jackie. He was preceded in death by his parents, George E. and Dorothy Zimmerman.

Colonel Zimmerman was loved and respected by all who knew him. Born in San Antonio, Texas he attended Douglas MacArthur High School in San Antonio, Texas; the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD graduating with the Class of 1972. He later earned his Master Degree from the University of Southern California in 1978.

Colonel Zimmerman attended The Basic School of the Marine Corps in Quantico, VA. He then earned his Naval Flight Officer Wings of Gold and earned his Military Occupational Specialty in the F-4 Phantom II as a Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 201 (VMFAT 201) at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, NC. Upon completion of training he joined VMFA-122 at MCAS Kaneohe, HI and subsequently graduated from the Navy Fighter Weapons School “Top Gun”.

His second fleet tour was with VMFA-235 at MCAS Kaneohe, HI. During this tour he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal for producing a superbly researched study supporting the Navy’s continued use of the island of Kahoolawe. His professional presentation of the Kahoolawe study to the Hawaiian State Legislature and Constitutional Convention assisted in ensuring continued combat readiness of Mid-Pacific Forces through unrestricted military use of Kahoolawe. Subsequently he flew with The Cowboys of VMFA-112 out of MCAS Dallas, TX.

Upon competition of his third tour of duty he became the Operations Officer for VMFA-212, the Lancers out of MCAS Kaneohe, HI. It was in this billet that then Major Zimmerman was the author of VMFA-212’s coveted Robert M. Hanson Award for the Marine Corps’ Fighter Squadron of the Year and Mike Albo’s Alfred A. Cunningham Award, Fighter Pilot of the Year. Additionally, it was his pen that authored both the Squadron’s Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Safety Award and the Squadron’s Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Major Zimmerman subsequently served an unaccompanied tour supporting the Guatemalan military as an Aviation Advisor.

Lieutenant Colonel Zimmerman received the Meritorious Service Medal for Outstanding Service as the Navy/Marine Liaison Officer, 4440th Tactical Fighter Training Group (Red Flag), Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada from 1 July 1987 to 30 June 1990. His extensive knowledge across the spectrum of tactical air operations increased the combat effectiveness of over 14,400 aircrews from the United States Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and other Allied commands. Concurrently, he was recognized by the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course cadre for his outstanding service during this period.

Returning to the Marines, he received Category 4 training to fly the F/A-18D Night Attack Hornet as a Weapon Systems Officer.

On August 2, 1990 Iraq invaded Kuwait and Lieutenant Colonel Zimmerman was called away for over 200 consecutive days to run the future operations of the Third Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW) in Saudi Arabia. His direct responsibility was the Air Tasking Order (ATO) for the Wing in defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield and the retaking of Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. From 2 August 1990 to 15 March 1991, Lieutenant Colonel Zimmerman was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for expertly planning, coordinating and producing the complex Air Tasking Order for the largest Marine Aircraft Wing in history to ever be deployed to combat.

On 24 February 1991 Lieutenant Colonel Zimmerman was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device for heroic achievement in aerial flight as a Fast Forward Air Controller with Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 121.

On 26 February 1991, Lieutenant Colonel Zimmerman was awarded the Air Medal with Combat “V” for flying through intense Anti-Aircraft Artillery fire in poor weather conditions locating an enemy convoy on a highway north of Kuwait City and initiating the destruction of that enemy convoy. He professionally coordinated and controlled 20 strike aircraft in additional attacks on enemy forces.

From 20 November 1992 to 28 January 1993, Lieutenant Colonel Zimmerman was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star in lieu of third award. For meritorious service while serving as the Senior Operational Planner and as a Tactical Air Commander for the Airspace Control Authority (ACA), Unified Task Force (UNITF) Somalia, in support of Operation Restore Hope.

On 1 September 1994, Robert R. Zimmerman was promoted to Colonel of Marines and served as the Commanding Officer of Marine Corps Air Station, Camp Pendleton, California. On 9 July 1997, Colonel Zimmerman was awarded The Legion of Merit by the Commandant of the Marine Corps on behalf of the President of the United States. For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of Outstanding services from July 1994 to July 1997. Colonel Zimmerman accumulated 4000+ flight hours in the F-4 Phantom II.

Upon retirement from the Marine Corps Colonel Zimmerman founded Veteran Government Services providing qualified personnel to train active duty forces in mock urban combat prior to deployment to both Afghanistan and Iraq.

In 2014, Colonel Zimmerman and his wife Bonnie retired to the Las Vegas valley where they enjoyed the opportunities, entertainment and faith of their church. Colonel Robert R. Zimmerman passed to eternal life on 7 March 2026 at 0400, loved and respected by all who knew him.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. Funeral services will be on Sunday, March 15, 2026 beginning at 1:00pm, both at Palm Henderson Mortuary, 800 S Boulder Highway, Henderson, NV 89015. Zman will be laid to rest at a later date at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, in San Antonio, Texas.

Flight jackets are authorized!!