Roland C. Zimmermann MD

Roland Clarence Emil Zimmermann, Jr., 78, was born on May 25, 1938, in Marshalltown, Iowa, to Roland and Geraldine Zimmermann. Roland had two sisters. Rosemary lives in San Diego, California and Susan in Abilene, Texas.

Roland was educated in the Seventh Day Adventist school system from first grade through medical school and residency.

It was during his junior year at Campion Academy in Loveland, Colorado, that he met his future wife, Melba. He began college in Takoma Park, Maryland. Their paths crossed again six years later when he came to Loma Linda for medical school. They were married June, 1963. They had fifty-three wonderful years together.

Roland was a man of many and varied interests. He was an amateur astronomer. While in college he manned the campus telescope every Friday evening after Vespers.

Botany became an intense interest of his while in the Navy stationed on the Marine base in Barstow, California. Plant life was sparse which caused him to question how they managed to survive.

Books were his treasured friends -- we still have his first library card from age 5.

His college major was physics with minors in math and chemistry. He worked as a physicist in the radar division at the Naval Research Lab in Washington, D.C. – then on to medical school.

He graduated from medical school in 1966, and took a residency in Radiation Oncology. He was in private practice in San Bernardino and Redlands.

Roland served on the Mental Health Advisory Board; was president of the San Bernardino American Cancer Society and served for 10 years on the City of Redlands Parks Commission.

Our family enjoyed camping whether in tents, campers or backpacking. In 1979, our family joined the Burton Briggs family backpacking across the Sierras; 90 miles in 9 days. We finished by climbing Mt. Whitney.

He had a lot of satisfaction being involved in church work. He sang in the choir for many years. While he was an Elder he started the TV ministry at the Loma Linda University Church. That led to his involvement with the Loma Linda Broadcasting Network. In retirement he taught a Sabbath school class at the Redlands Church.

He was active in the LLU Medical Alumni Board working his way up to President.

He is survived by his wife Melba; his daughter, Rolanda Everett (Kendall); son, Greg (Laura); son, Rob (Katie) and nine grandchildren: Forrest, Madeleine, Kirk, Liesel, Claire, Will, Patrick, Mikayla and Ethan, plus his two sisters, two nieces and a nephew.