Please remember in your prayers Hans Anthony Zimmerman, who died peacefully surrounded by family and friends Wednesday, Dec. 26. Zimmerman, 28, was the son of Joanell and Dr. Fred Zimmerman, professor emeritus of engineering at the University of St. Thomas.
Hans Anthony Zimmerman
Hans was a lifelong resident of Minnetonka, Minn. He attended St. Thomas in fall 2003 but had to withdraw due to health reasons related to Gardner’s syndrome. The syndrome is essentially a combination of cancers and other nonmalignant but fast-growing tumors. Hans had liver cancer, colon cancer and tumors in the abdomen and nasal cavities. He had about 30 surgeries along with extensive chemotherapies, radiation, and a five-organ transplant (liver, small intestine, stomach, pancreas and duodenum).
Hans was a remarkably gentle person who could bring light to any room. He was a generous, thoughtful, sincere, devoted, forgiving, hilarious, intelligent, ambitious, passionate and inspiring man. He enjoyed soccer, martial arts, dance, singing, song writing, drawing, engineering electronics, eating good food, playing games and advocating for animal rights. He was gifted in music, playing violin, trumpet, drums, piano and singing at various points in his life.
When he graduated with honors from Benilde-St. Margaret's High School in 2003, he received a standing ovation, along with the distinguished President’s Award.
Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 31. The eulogy read at his funeral can be viewed here.
A full obituary and guest book can be viewed at legacy.com.
