Robert F. Zink (1924-2020)

ZINK, NEEL, ESTEL

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 10/30/2020 at 20:32:40

Robert Frank Zink, 96, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, originally from Winterset, Iowa, passed away Thursday October 29, 2020 at St. Luke’s Hospital. A public visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4 at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. A private Family service will take place at the Chapel of Memories with burial to follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

As mandated by proclamation, social distancing must be practiced which requires a limited number of people to be allowed into the visitation at one time. The use of facemasks or shields is required.

Robert was born on October 14, 1924 in Boone, Iowa to Simon and Georgia (Neel) Zink. He lived in Winterset and graduated from Winterset High School. After high school, he attended one year at the University of Iowa.
In 1943 he enlisted into the United States Navy, and served three years in the Pacific theater onboard the destroyer escort USS Suesens. After his honorable discharge in 1946 he returned home and met the love of his life Marcelene Estel. He went to work at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company as a lineman, where he would advance to retire as a senior manager after 38 years.

He volunteered and served many years for several organizations: St. Luke’s Hospital, Hospice, First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids and American Legion Post 727 Honor Guard. He was also an active member of the Masonic Lodge, Civitan and Telephone Pioneer’s of America.

He had many hobbies including wine making, cooking, hunting, fishing, golf, gardening, and traveling.

Robert is survived by his children Robert (Sheree) Zink of Lafayette, CO and Marcia (John) Newmeister of Tulsa, OK; grandchildren Joy (Sean) Flanagan of London, England; Julie (Joe) Newman of Bixby OK; Katie Zink of Portland OR; Rachel Zink of Los Angeles, CA; great-grandchildren Jackson Newman of Bixby, OK; and Iyla Flanagan of London, England and his sister Gigi Nichols of Colorado Springs, CO.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Marcelene; siblings Charles Zink, Bernadine Hager, Doris Pearson, Bill Zink and Harold Zink.

Memorial donations may be directed to UnityPoint St. Luke’s Hospice in Cedar Rapids.