Fort Wayne, IN — Komet Hall of Famer Dick Zimmerman, 83, passed away Monday, Feb. 1, 2010, at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne. 

Zimmerman served as supervisor of minor officials for the Fort Wayne Komets IHL home hockey games in addition to carrying out duties as statistician and public address announcer through the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s and continued to observe the official scoring of Komet games into the start of the current 2009-10 season.

He was the patriarch of what has been called Fort Wayne's first family of hockey.  Zimmerman and his surviving wife of 64 years, Flossie, were inducted into the Komet Hall of Fame in 2004.

Zimmerman is also survived by sons Robert Zimmerman, Richard Zimmerman and John Zimmerman and daughter Jacqueline Zimmerman along with 11 grandchildren, three step-grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Zimmerman and his wife and children all served in the hockey communities of Fort Wayne including the Fort Wayne Komet Hockey Club and youth hockey activities at McMillen Ice Arena and last season celebrated 50 years of working for the Komets in some capacity.  Flossie Zimmerman has been recognized for her service as Komet office manager and executive secretary for 30 years starting in 1958.

Zimmerman attended Komet home games since the very first home game in 1952 and until very recently.  He will be remembered by many sitting in section 206, with his note pad, keeping statistics.

Service is 11am Friday at Zion Lutheran Church, 2313 S. Hanna Street, Fort Wayne, with calling one hour prior.  Calling also from 2-5pm and 7-9pm Thursday at D.O. McComb and Sons Maplewood Park Funeral Home, 4017 Maplecrest Road, Fort Wayne.  Burial in Greenlawn Memorial Park.  Memorials may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church.  To sign the onoline guestbook, please visit www.mccombandsons.com.