Robert D. Zahner's Obituary
ZAHNER, ROBERT D., 89 of Coral Gables passed away on Thursday, November 27, 2008. He was born in Beacon, New York on March 30, 1919 to Robert and Mae Zahner. He joined the United States Army Air Corps in 1941 and was stationed in North Carolina prior to serving 2 1/2 years in India where he taught the use of the link trainer to pilots who flew over the hump to China. Following his discharge in 1946, he moved to Vermont where he met and married Eleanor Bowhay. They moved to Coconut Grove in the fall of 1947 for him to attend the University of Miami. He received his BBA in 1950 and his LLD in 1951. He was in private law practice in the Miami area or many years. He served as Municipal Judge for the City of Miami from 1959 to 1961 and as City Attorney for Miami from 1961 to 1963. He joined the City of Coral Gables as City Attorney in 1967 and retired in 1994. Since retirement, he has served on the Charter Review Board and on the 2004 Blue Ribbon Panel for the City of Coral Gables. Bob was a leader in the community and had many friends. He supported the University of Miami and had season tickets for the Canes games for sixty years. He loved to cook and entertain. Christmas dinner at the Zahner's was a tradition. He never refused an offer for a game of bridge. Music was also a love of his - he was a walking encyclopedia regarding musicians in the big bands. In a group. he was never without a story for the amusement of all. He will be sorely missed by all of his family and friends. He was a member of the Coral Gables Rotary Club, Coral Gables Country Club, Century Club, Royal Palm Tennis Club, Beach Colony Club, The Hurricane Club, U of M Old Timers and Spoonbills. Bob is survived by his wife, Eleanor, his son Robert and daughter-in-law Lynn Zahner , MD as well as family members in New York, New Hampshire and Virginia. Bob was not only a person who loved and cared for family and friends, but also of his four footed friends, especially Cary. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Humane Society of Greater Miami, Adopt -a- Pet, 16101 West Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach, FL , 33160. Visitation: Monday December 1st 6-8pm. Chapel Service: Tuesday December 2nd at 4pm. Private Burial at a later date. VAN ORSDEL - CORAL GABLES 4600 SW 8 St 305-446-4412 Family Owned Since 1924 www.vanorsdelfuneralchapels.com
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