Leo Felder Zimmerman

Leo Felder Zimmerman, DOB 2/9/1935, was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, to William R. Zimmerman and Lois Myers. He entered into rest on 5/24/2023 in Altoona, FL surrounded by his family. He received his BS degree in Industrial Arts in 1957 from Mississippi Southern College and later returned to obtain his Master’s degree in Mathematics from Mississippi Southern College in 1961. In 1957, he married Dorolyn Matthews. In 1958, he spent 3 years in the US Army attending the Army Language School in Monterrey, CA to become a Russian linguist and ended his career at Fort Bragg, NC. He moved his young family to Jackson, SC in 1961 to work at the Savannah River Plant located in Aiken, South Carolina where his professional computer experience originated using a 16k IBM 1620 computer for statistical analysis. He and his co-workers converted an IBM system from a very large computer to an automated batch system. This experience led to a continuing career in system and capacity management based on IBM architecture. He was responsible for the capacity planning, supporting studies, and procurement actions for all major mainframe computing systems. He retired in 1993. Leo enjoyed fishing, scuba diving, woodworking, and photography. He enjoyed his time spent at his home on Lake Murray. He had a long history involving work with volunteer organizations. He spent 20 years actively supporting the Boy Scout program; in 1969 he worked with Dr Thomas E. Bell to form the Computer Measurement and Evaluation Project of the IBM User group called SHARE and served two terms in the 70’s as an elected member of the SHARE Board of Directors with continuing involvement with the SHARE senior management team serving in various capacities on the SHARE Advisory Council. He and Dr. Bell developed a very successful capacity management program using RMF data and introduced PC technology. Leo was involved in Computer Management Group and served as the General Conference Chairmen in 1991. Leo is survived by his wife, Dorolyn Matthews Zimmerman; children, Mark Zimmerman (Ivy), Ellen Z. Parrish (Herb), and Paul Zimmerman (Melissa); 8 grandchildren, Brandi Ellison (Will), Erin Coleman (Michael), Dr. Audrey P. Cosentino (Gio), Kinsey Parrish, Brittany Clark (Doug), Bryce Zimmerman (Connie), Myers Zimmerman (Jessica), Mary Claire Zimmerman; 8 great grandchildren, Kylie and Kearsten Coleman, Isla and Wyatt Ellison, William and Richard Clark, Rilynn and Oliva Zimmerman. There will be a scattering of Leo’s ashes at Lake Murray with family and friends, date TBD.

Leo Felder Zimmerman

February 9, 1935 - May 24, 2023