Robert Duane Zollinger

Robert Duane Zollinger, age 92 of Dayton, TN, was born December 3, 1930, in Loveland, CO, and died November 18, 2023. He was the son of Genoa Zollinger and Ellen (Howe) Zollinger and was the sixth of eight children. Robert spent his early years near Loveland and Estes Park, CO. His mother died at a young age, and at the age of 12, “Bobby” moved to Knoxville, TN, to attend Little Creek Academy, a Seventh-Day Adventist self-supporting boarding school. At Little Creek he learned to appreciate the purpose and value of true Christian education. It was there he also learned the skills of construction, agriculture, and education. These formative years of his learning set the foundation for all that followed in his life. Bob graduated from Little Creek Academy in 1948 and then joined the Little Creek staff and worked as a Bible teacher and dean of boys. In 1951 he was drafted into the Army, serving two years stationed in Germany with the occupational troops. Then in 1953, Bob joined the pioneering staff at the Little Creek extension school (Laurelbrook Academy) in Dayton, TN. There he met his future wife, Ruthie Coulter. They married in 1958. Bob and Ruthie dedicated themselves to Christian education and spent the remainder of their lives at Laurelbrook. During those years they raised three children, two sons and a daughter. He received his BA in Religion from Southern Missionary College in 1979. Bob served 43 years as President of Laurelbrook, and it was his desire that students who attended Laurelbrook Academy would learn to be mission minded, help make the world a better place, and to finish God’s work. Bob and Ruthie’s mission was to acquaint young people with God through nature and His Word, to develop in them an appreciation for vocational work, and to instill in them a sense of duty for Christian mission. Bob retired from Laurelbrook in 2000 and continued to serve Laurelbrook in multiple roles, participated in mission trips, was president of The Layman Foundation, and initiated and fostered the E. A. Sutherland Education Association – an accrediting association for self-supporting schools. He spent his final years mentoring staff, gardening, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He had multiple talents and hobbies and enjoyed teaching his grandchildren his love of art. He was an active member of the Laurelbrook Seventh Day Adventist Church in Dayton, TN. Robert was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruthie (’16), of 58 years and his granddaughter, Jessica Zollinger (’22), his eight siblings George Zollinger (’63), Shirley Chastain (’17), Betty Ashlock (’20), Glenn Zollinger (’13), Leland Zollinger (’19), Edwin Zollinger (’92), and Beecher Zollinger (’19). He is survived by three children: Robert Duane Zollinger of Dayton, TN, Russell David (Kristi) Zollinger of Dayton, TN, and Joy Lynne Zollinger of Baltimore, MD; five grandchildren, Thomas and Grace Zollinger, Lauryn, Sarah, and Ava Zollinger; two great-grandchildren, Cameron Rowe and Zoe Richardson; many nieces and nephews; and countless former students, colleagues, and friends. A service celebrating the life of Robert Zollinger will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at Laurelbrook Academy Auditorium. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to the Laurelbrook Alumni Pioneer Memorial Endowment Fund, which assists worthy students in attending Laurelbrook Academy. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=FY2YESV2GGMD6 Please share your memories and photos of Robert on his online guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com The family is being cared for by Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, TN.

Robert Duane Zollinger

December 3, 1930 - November 18, 2023