William and Elaine Zimmer, long-time residents of Rotterdam, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on June 13. 

They were married in Jamestown, New York on June 13, 1951. Elaine Zimmer says, “Thirteen is my lucky number!”

William Zimmer grew up on a farm in rural Schoharie County. Elaine Zimmer was also raised on a farm and sugarbush on the opposite end of the state in Randolph, New York. The couple met at Cornell University where Mr. Zimmer earned a degree in agriculture and Mrs. Zimmer, a year later, in home economics.

In 1954, Mr. Zimmer received a Ford Foundation Fellowship grant, which sent his young family, including their 2-year-old son, Douglas, and newborn daughter, Charlotte, on a year-long trailer trip around much of the United States to visit various agricultural facilities. This inspired a lifelong love of travel. The Zimmers have been in all 50 states, most of the provinces of Canada, four continents, and many countries.

For many years, Mrs. Zimmer taught home economics and Mr. Zimmer taught agriculture. Once moving to the Rotterdam area, Mr. Zimmer became a computer programmer with General Electric and then transitioned to a similar job with New York State until he retired. Mrs. Zimmer, who had taught home economics at the junior- and senior-high school level, as well as at the college level, became an elementary school teacher at Duanesburg Central School until her retirement.

“Bill and Elaine have always been committed to helping others,” their son said. They were active in their local church, both became Master Gardeners; they raised puppies for the Guide Dogs for the Blind program, supported local political candidates, and frequently hosted foreign students.

Their son, Douglas Zimmer, lives in Costa Mesa, California and their daughter, Charlotte Palmeri, lives in Guilderland. The Zimmers have five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Statistically, out of 1000 married couples, 60 of them will make it to their 50th wedding anniversary, but only one couple of the original 1000 will live until they can celebrate 70 years together!  Good job, Bill and Elaine!

William Zimmer grew up on a farm in rural Schoharie County. Elaine Zimmer was also raised on a farm and sugarbush on the opposite end of the state in Randolph, New York.  Her homestead eventually became known as Pope Haven Campground.

Both Bill and Elaine worked for a year after graduating high school to save up enough money to attend Cornell University, in Ithaca, NY.  Bill worked in house construction in the Sunnybrook area of Schenectady before enrolling as an Agriculture major at Cornell.  Elaine worked as a dietician in the WCA Hospital in Jamestown prior to beginning her college classes in the Home Economics program at Cornell.

During the next few years, the paths of William and Elaine crossed at an Intervarsity event on campus.  Elaine was charmed by the thick, wavy, pompadour hairstyle worn by Bill. They met and made plans for their wedding immediately following Bill's graduation from Cornell, which was one year earlier than Elaine graduated.  Upon Bill's graduation he began teaching as an agriculture teacher not far from Ithaca so Elaine could still attend classes at Cornell. After Elaine graduated, they started a family.

In 1954, Bill received a Ford Foundation Fellowship grant which sent his young family (including a two-year old son and newborn daughter) on a year-long trailer trip around much of the United States (before the Interstate system!) to visit various agricultural facilities.  This implanted the spirit of travel in them forever.  As a result, they have been in all fifty states (including a 12,000 round-trip driving trip to Alaska!), most of the provinces of Canada, four continents and many countries.  They had recreational vehicles that were always in use on school vacations, but after their children grew up, they also enjoyed cruises.

Both Bill and Elaine spent many years as teachers in their fields, agriculture and home economics.  Once moving to the Rotterdam area, Bill eventually became a computer programmer with General Electric, but transitioned to a similar position as a NY State employee until he retired.  Elaine, who had taught Home Economics at the Junior and Senior high school level, as well as at the college level, became an elementary school teacher at Duanesburg Central School until her retirement.

Bill and Elaine have always been committed to helping others.  They were active in their local church, both became "Master Gardeners", they raised puppies for the Guide Dogs for the Blind program, supported local political candidates, and frequently hosted foreign students into their home to give them the opportunity to see the "real" America.

They are very proud of their family which includes two children, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Due to COVID, they will have a very limited celebration of their anniversary.
 

Bill and Elaine, longtime residents of Rotterdam, NY, raised two children, Douglas Zimmer of Costa Mesa, CA and Charlotte Palmeri of Schenectady, NY, and now have five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.