Reverend Dr. Roger W. Zimmerman (’70)
The following obituary was originally published by MassLive and can be found here.
The Reverend Dr. Roger William Zimmerman died Friday, June 5, 2026, in Newtown, CT, at the age of 88 years. Celebration of life will be Saturday, June 20, at 2 p.m. at First Congregational Church, Westfield, MA. Private inurnment will take place at Otis Center Cemetery. The Rev. Dr. Zimmerman was born May 22, 1938, in Hillsboro to William Keiser and Kathryn (Barkema) Zimmerman.
He grew up on the family farm near Harvel where faith and community shaped his life. Following his graduation from Raymond High School in 1956, he attended Eureka College before transferring to Stanford University where he earned a B.A. in history. He continued his education at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, where he received a divinity degree in 1963. That same year, he was ordained at Harvel Christian Church, beginning more than 50 years of ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
It was at Union Seminary that he met Mary Magovern, the love of his life. They were married in Agawam, MA, in 1965. From 1963 to 1965, The Rev. Dr. Zimmerman worked through the World Council of Churches with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in West Berlin. Following his time in Germany, he served as interim assistant minister at the American Church in Paris.
In 1970, he earned his Doctor of Theology degree from Boston University School of Theology. The Rev. Dr. Zimmerman touched countless lives through his service in the ministry. After his wife s ordination in 1975, they found great joy in serving churches together including congregations in Newton Center, MA; Alton, NH; Hyattsville, MD; Bloomington; Corvallis, OR; North Canton, OH; Louisville, KY; and Lynchburg, VA.
In 2003, The Rev. Dr. Zimmerman and his wife retired to their home on Big Pond, East Otis, MA, a place he often called Heaven on Earth. They delighted in welcoming family and friends to their home. In 2017, they moved to Reeds Landing, a retirement community in Springfield, MA, s where he continued to be active following his wife s death in 2018. In Feb. 2026, he moved to Newtown, CT, to be closer to family.
The Rev. Dr. Zimmerman had a profound faith and love for others. He was a ready source of encouragement for others and he leaves a legacy of love, compassion and kindness for family and friends alike. The Rev. Dr. Zimmerman is survived by his son, Mark (Robin) of Bedford, VA; daughters, Kathryn Zimmerman (Jeff Fligelman) of Redding, CT, and Mary Beth (John) Whittle of Louisville, KY; sister-in-law, Martha Zimmerman; five grandchildren, Meghan Zimmerman, Ben Fligelman and Jack, Kate and Anna Whittle; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; his parents; his brother, Donald; and an infant sister, Faith Marie.
Memorial gifts may be made to First Congregation Church, 18 Broad St., Westfield, MA 01085 or Christian Unity and Interfaith Ministry, PO Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1986.