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Colonel Paul E. Zumbro, USAF Ret. died of complications from Parkinson's disease and dementia at his home on September 4, 2013. He was 72 years old. Col. Zumbro was born in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 2, 1940, and raised in suburban Prince George's County, Maryland. He graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy. He later earned an MSIE from the University of Pittsburgh and both an MSSE and a PhD from Southern Methodist University. Col. Zumbro was married to the former Patricia Ann Davis of Hyattsville, Maryland. They met the first day of first grade and were in classes together throughout elementary school. They shared some classes in junior high and high school. They were married the month he graduated from Annapolis and she graduated from the University of Maryland. Col. Zumbro accepted a commission in the Regular Air Force in June of 1962. He served 26 years on active duty in a variety of positions in financial management and information systems. Texas assignments included Sheppard AFB in 1962, Dallas in 1970-72, and Randolph AFB from 1972-76. His final military assignment was commander, Information Systems Support Group, U.S. Pacific Command, Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii. Col. Zumbro's military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal four awards, and the Air Force Commendation Medal two awards. Following military retirement in 1988, Col. Zumbro relocated to San Antonio. He worked locally for USAA for eleven years. He was a key official in the innovative employment of digital imaging technology at the insurance and financial services firm. Col. Zumbro is survived by his wife, their two children, Pamela Van Zandt of San Antonio and Paul H. Zumbro of Irvington, NY; granddaughters Courtney Van Zandt and Scarlett Zumbro; and grandsons Zachary Van Zandt, Wyatt Zumbro and Atticus Zumbro. Immediate family also includes brothers Navy Captain Rod Zumbro of Springfield, Virginia, and Val E. Zumbro of Whitsett, North Carolina. In keeping with his respect for education, the family has donated his brain to The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio for research into Parkinson's disease and dementia. The family will have a private graveside burial at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in November in honor of his birthday.

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Paul E. Zumbro

November 2, 1940 - September 4, 2013