Robert “Bob” Zamzow

Obituary

Robert “Bob” Elmer Zamzow was born on July 1, 1948, minutes before his twin brother, Roger, in New Ulm, Minnesota. He was the son of Elmer and Edna (Lagerwall) Zamzow. He was raised in the Gibbon, Minnesota, area, being baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. He attended public school in Gibbon.

Bob served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam era; later, he received compensation for the health problems resulting from his duties. Returning home, he built grain elevators until attending and graduating in Auto Mechanics at South Central College in North Mankato.

On May 12, 1973, Bob and Sandra (Sandi) Woods were married. They lived in the Mankato area where Bob worked for Kost and Nelson Motors as a mechanic. Their daughter, Heidi Jo, was born March 3, 1976. She lived a week and is now in Heaven. Health concerns moved the family to Arlington, Texas. Bob was able to work for five more years in the different climate. During that time, Jesse Robert was born July 13, 1977. Jon William was born into the family on November 10, 1978.

Bob worked as an auto mechanic as long as his health would allow. When he could no longer work the 9-5, he, his sons, and friends built him a 2 ½ car garage. There, friends brought their cars and using Bob’s tools and expertise repaired them. One night, he worked on a car with a hip out of socket and excruciating pain. Asked “why?” he responded, “Well they can’t take care of their family without a car!”

As his hands became extremely crippled, VA Occupational Therapy tried to retrain him so he could have an interest other than cars. Their conclusion was “he was made for cars!!” He loved to restore vehicles. Putting countless hours into each project, he transformed ‘57 Chevy’s, a ‘58 Chevy Cheyenne pickup, later a ‘68 El Camino and a ‘69 Chevelle. He truly believed in the saying, “Found on the Road Dead” about Fords, and was a Chevy-GMC man thru and thru. As far as Bob was concerned, computers ruined cars and he was glad he didn’t have to mechanic on the new models.

Moving back to Minnesota in 2001, Bob soon became confined to an electric wheelchair. He roamed the town with his dogs, Happy and Mikey appearing to pull him. He spread friendship everywhere he went. Growing up with T.V. Westerns, his winters were filled with cowboy movies. He would even watch them in black and white. When visiting in the nursing home, we would find him watching Gunsmoke, Wagon Train or a cowboy flick.

Bob loved fishing, hunting, trapping, and cars. He cherished the time he spent with his family and friends.

Bob endured over 65 surgeries in his life. He always bounced back and continued to live life with a good spirit and laughter. Bob is in Heaven now. All who will miss him find comfort in that fact. We imagine him walking and leaping and praising God.

Robert “Bob” Elmer Zamzow, age 77, of Winthrop, passed away Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 1:45 A.M. after a 52-year journey with rheumatoid arthritis. To the end, Bob maintained kindness, resilience, and love for family and friends. He yearned to be helpful, was full of fun, and accepted his days-even the pain. Blessed be his memory.

Bob is survived by his:
Wife, Sandra “Sandi” Zamzow of Winthrop, MN;
Sons, Jesse (Melanie) Zamzow of Winthrop, MN, and
Jon Zamzow of Mankato;
Grandchildren, Tyson (Savannah) Kask, Blake (Arianna) Kask, Preston (Joey) Kask, Caleb Dehn and Jordan Zamzow;
Great-grandsons, Brooks, Camdyn, Daylin and Hudson;
3 Brothers, Roger, Dennis and Gary;
In-laws, Craig and Betty Woods, Wayne and Pat Hamble, Keith and Mariel Woods, Mary Woods, Tom and Cheryl Glaeser and Doris Zamzow.
He is also loved by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his Daughter, Heidi Jo Zamzow in 1976; Parents, Elmer and Edna (Lagerwall) Zamzow; Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, Marion and Mavis Woods; Sister-in-law, Cindy Zamzow.