Evan Albert Zimmerman died at his home on the Disaster Peak Ranch on May 7, 2012, due to complications following surgery. His devoted and loving wife of 68 years, Tillie, was by his side.
Evan was born to Albert Webster Zimmerman and Virginia Elizabeth Zimmerman on Dec. 31, 1923, in Petaluma, Calif. He was the second of four boys. He spent his early years on his parents dairies in the Chileno Valley and at Tomales Bay.
He graduated from Petaluma High School in 1942. He married his high school sweetheart, Tillie Antoinette Christiansen in 1944. Soon after their marriage, Evan bought a small farm in Fallon, Calif., where he milked cows, and raised chickens and beef. He wanted a bigger place. On Memorial weekend of 1950 he and Tillie looked at the Disaster Peak Ranch. In just four short weeks, on June 25, they had purchased the ranch, and moved the family there. Evan became a rancher and he followed this passion for the rest of his life. A fiercely independent man he loved being in charge of his own destiny, working hard and succeeding. Early on he expanded his business with the purchase of the Turner Ranch. He and Tillie raised 5 sons to college and beyond. He was very proud of their achievements. Evan felt that his son's loved ranching so in 1972 he asked them if they would be interested in forming a family ranching business. They said yes, so once again on Memorial weekend 1972, he and some of his family toured the vast RO ranches and by July first he had mortgaged his Disaster Peak ranch to the limit and had moved to central Nevada. For 16 years he led the family on an ambitious endeavor to operate this immense cattle ranch. During these years Evan used a rest/rotation system, which constantly improved the range, and in 1980 was recognized by The Society for Range Management as Rancher of the year. By 1979 he and his family ran over 6,000 head of cattle on 3.5 million acres of land, a colossal achievement. Being in a successful business with his family was one of his finest achievements. In 1988 he sold the RO ranches and he and Tillie moved back to the Disaster Peak Ranch. There he worked with his son, Arnie for another 25 years. In 2008 he received the 100,000 mile award from the Nevada Cattlemen's Association.
His ranch was his life, it encompassed his family, his hobbies, his work and he further said that he never wished he was doing something else.
Evan is survived by his wife, Tillie, his sons Ross (Dodie) Zimmerman, Ted (Julie) Zimmerman, Dennis (Linda) Zimmerman, Arnold (Kaela) Zimmerman, Evan Jr. (Buzz), (Judy) Zimmerman, 17 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and his brother Mervyn (Mary) Zimmerman. He was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Virginia, his brothers Don Zimmerman and Stuart Zimmerman and his grandson Travis Zimmerman.
In following, the sentiment "I would like to see a celebration of life instead of a gathering of death. A celebration where stories are told, eyes mist over, laughter rings out" a celebration of Evan's life will be held at the Community Center in McDermitt on May 12 at 11 a.m. All are invited to a lunch immediately following.
The family would like to thank Kayla Cummings of Genesis Home Health for her dedication and the many miles driven to care for Evan during these last few months. (In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the McDermitt Library).
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