Richard “Dick” A. Zimmerman, 92 of New Boston, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Thursday, November 13, 2025. Private family services will be held with interment at the National Cemetery, Rock Island Arsenal. Memorials may be made to the Aledo American Legion, Mercer County VFW, or the Quad City Animal Welfare Center. Speer Funeral Home, Aledo, is assisting the family.
Richard Allen was born on August 25, 1933, in Geneseo, Illinois, to Arvid and Jennifer (Parker) Zimmerman. He graduated from Black Hawk College, where he met the love of his life (for the second time), Louise “Liz” Zimmerman. They were married on June 21, 1953, in Moline, Illinois. Dick served his country in the United States Air Force from 1953 through 1957 as an instrument repairman and technical instructor.
Dick and Liz began their marriage in Moline, spent 20 years in Rock Island after the service and other homes and eventually moved to New Boston, Illinois, where they built their log cabin with the help and love of family and friends from 1976 to 1978. Their home was their sanctuary and they enjoyed watching the animals and birds especially. Dick and Liz did everything together, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Studebaker Club, Auctions, and Flea Markets. Dick received the Silver Beaver Award in the Boy Scouts. Dick and his son, Eric, loved to do metal detecting and would canvas old barns for anything to salvage. He volunteered his time at Westmer High School teaching students the marvels of model airplane flight. His Studebaker buggy and pony Archie were mainstays in local parades and loved by his grandchildren.
Dick was a member of the Aledo United Methodist Church. His bible was well worn and highlighted with favorite passages.
Dick’s legacy will be carried on by his children, Linden “Lindy” and Tom Jensen, Liz and Dick Shurson, and Kristel Stopoulos; and grandchildren, Shanna Jensen, Ben and Nellie Jensen, Anna and Yul Berg, Kayte and Brody Hamel, James and Amanda Kleinau, Joanna and Brent Ayers, Dawn and Matthew Kruse, Rusty and Audrey Zimmerman, Jennifer Zimmerman and Brad Lingafelter, Renee Sanders, James and Emily Sanders, and Jr and Shaleshia Munson. He is also survived by 28 great-grandchildren and a special canine companion, Penny. Dick was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Liz; son, Eric Zimmerman; grandson, Andrew Sparkman; great-grandson, Kevin Kruse; son-in-law, James Stopoulos; and a sister in infancy, Ruthie Zimmerman.
The family would like to thank Taylor Maid Home Care, especially Brenda Nelson and Renee Beam, for the special care given to Dick, Liz, and the entire family.