Dr. Norman H. “Doc” Zimmerman, educator, aeronautical engineer, World War II veteran, and author, died Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007, of a cerebral hemorrhage, at Missouri Baptist Medical Center. He was 88 and a resident of Creve Coeur.

Dr. Zimmerman was born May 12, 1919, to Victor and Rose Zimmerman. He was a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, where he received his doctor of science degree in 1954. He was the only applied mechanics engineering recipient that year. “His love for aeronautics and teaching were evident in his design of exhibits for the St. Louis Science Center,” a family member told the St. Louis Jewish Light.

In 1967, Dr. Zimmerman received the achievement award for Outstanding Technical Contributions to the Aerospace Sciences, presented by the St. Louis Section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He had an extensive career at McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing), that included patents, working on the Mercury Space Capsule Project and F-4. F-15 and F-18 jet fighter plane design, and authoring articles for NASA publications, among many other related activities. He retired from McDonnell Douglas in 1987.

Dr. Zimmerman also taught mechanical engineering for several years at Washington University in St. Louis. He also volunteered at Horton Watkins Ladue High School, leading hands on science and math demonstrations.

Dr. Zimmerman served as a captain in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II. After his military service, he continued his education, earning his doctorate in applied mechanical engineering from Washington University.

Funeral services for Dr. Zimmerman were held last month, where he was remembered “not only for his successful and well-respected career full of achievement, but for going to the park to fly model airplanes with his grandchildren, or anyone else who was interested, or for his volunteer work at Ladue High School. This gentle, kindhearted and soft-spoken man will be fondly remembered and greatly missed,” a family member told the St. Louis Jewish Light.

Among the survivors are his wife of 61 years, Lee Zimmerman; he was the father of Rosalyn (Robert) Hampel of Portland, Ore., and Marianne (Lenny) Kastenbaum of San Antonio. He was the brother of Doris (Sidney) Berman of St. Louis, and the late Bess (the late Maury) Waxelman, Julius, Sam and Irving Zimmerman. He was the grandfather of David Kestenbaum and Mackenzie Hampel, brother-in-law of Rosalie and the late Allan Gale, Dr. Vivian and Dr. Samuel Trotz and Dr. Lester and Carolyn Garfinkel.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry, c/o Jewish Family and Children’s Service, 10950 Schuetz Road, St. Louis, Mo. 63146, 314-993-1000.