Dr. John R. Zimmerman, 87, Commerce, Texas, died Sept. 8, 2008, at Plano, Texas. He was born Sept. 11, 1920, at Eureka.

He was a leader in the development of technical inter-disciplinary programs within academia including molecular science and engineering biophysics programs.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lenore (Stenzel) Zimmerman.

Survivors include children, John Zimmerman of Wylie, Texas, Kathryn Zimmerman of Ellensburg, Wash., and Tamara Wilburn of Frisco, Texas; sister-in-law, Helen Chill of Marion; and four grandchildren.

Local funeral services were conducted Saturday morning at Zeiner Funeral Home. Burial was in Marion Cemetery.

The John R. and Lenore S. Zimmerman Physics Scholarship Fund, Emporia State University, has been established.