Albright Gravenor Zimmerman

Bucks County Courier Times
Albright Gravenor Zimmerman, Ph.D., "Zip", died at age 87 on November 2, 2007 at St. Mary Medical Center, Newtown, Pa. At his side were his wife, the former Janet Knoblauch Miller, and Charles Lorimer, his devoted friend of many years and business partner of his late wife, Margaret Hanson Zimmerman.
Upon hearing of his death, a colleague at Rider University wrote; "Zip always took pleasure in life. I remember the joyous good times, his sense of humor and his interest in all the historical staff around here. He was definitely one of a kind."
The first child of Bright A. and Ruth Gravenor Zimmerman was born in Philadelphia where his father owned a hardware store in Center City. At an early age, Zip knew that his destiny was not in hardware, but rather his passion was teaching history. He attended Overbrook High School and was graduated from The Pennington School, Pennington, N.J. in 1938. Before World War II beckoned, he completed his undergraduate degree (BS-Ed) at Temple University in 1942. He received an honorable discharge after serving in an Army Hospital in Wales, UK. The day after his return, he enrolled in Temple University to finish his MA in history. He started his doctorate at Columbia University but transferred to University of Delaware where he completed his Ph.D. in History of Technology in 1965. His dissertation, unpublished, was "The Indian Trade In Colonial Pennsylvania."
He started his teaching career at Wesley Junior College and taught at Bensalem High School, Bensalem, Pa., The Pennsylvania State University, College of New Jersey and while completing his doctorate, taught at the University of Delaware. He began his long career at Rider University in 1959 where he was Chair of the American Studies Department.
Dr. Zimmerman had very broad interests. His prime interest was Eastern Canal Development. He published more than 18 papers, many on canals and transportation and three books. His most important, which one of his peers called "the best book on this subject for the next 100 years", was "Pennsylvania's Delaware Division Canal." Its subtitle "Sixty Miles of Euphoria and Frustration" hints at how Zip could make technology readable and very interesting. His other books are "A Canal Bibliography", a 187 page resource of canal publications, and "An Unsettled Arena: Religion and the Bill of Rights" a collection of essays, he edited with Ronald C. White, Jr. He also traveled extensively with his late wife, Peg, seeing most of the world and had a passion for food. He frequently entertained his students and friends at his Yardley home.
Dr. Zimmerman had memberships in many canal and historical societies. After planning more than a score of weekend field trips he became the President of the Pennsylvania Canal Society for many years. He was a life member of the Pennsylvania Historic Society and many other historical societies, including Lower Makefield and Trenton Historic Society where he was a board member.
Dr. Zimmerman and his late wife, Peg, were active members of Thompson Memorial Presbyterian Church, Aquetong Road, New Hope, Pa.
Zip was predeceased by his first wife, Margaret H. Zimmerman; his brother, Benjamin, a nuclear engineer; and his sister and brother-in-law, Alice and James Tippett. Surviving are his sister-in-law, Jan Zimmerman of New Oxford, Pa.; nieces Rebecca Zimmerman of Salem, Mass. and Janice Hofreiter of Pennington, N.J.; and nephew Jay Tippett of Hamilton, N.J.; and legions of people far and wide who call him "Uncle Zip."
Memorial services will be held at Thompson Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1680 Aquetong Road, New Hope, Pa., on November 17, 2007. Calling hour is 10 a.m. and services at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to National kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, N.Y., 10016 or Thompson Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1680 Aquetong Road, New Hope, Pa., 18938.
Arrangements are under the supervision of David C. Chiacchio CFSP, The Chiacchio Southview Funeral Home, South Trenton, N.J.
November 11, 2007 12:00 AM

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Albright G. Zimmerman Ph.D.

 at Wesley Junior College and taught at Bensalem High School, Bensalem, PA, The Pennsylvania State University, College of New Jersey, and while completing his doctorate taught...