Gabe Zimmerman was an ideal fit for his job as director of community outreach for U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
He was outgoing, interested in other people and had a knack for connecting with folks, according to his friends and colleagues. He died doing his job.
Zimmerman, 30, will be celebrated at a public memorial this morning, organized by the local branch of the Arizona State University School of Social Work. It will be held in the courtyard of the Sentinel building, 320 N. Commerce Park Loop. The event begins at 11 a.m.
For more information, call 884-5507, Ext. 10.
Zimmerman held a master's degree from the ASU School of Social Work and graduated with honors from UC-Santa Cruz with a degree in sociology in 2002.
Zimmerman was a natural for his outreach job, say people who knew him best.
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"He was at Gabrielle's side at these 'Congresswoman on the Corner' events," recalled a longtime colleague, Tom Zoellner, an author and a volunteer in Giffords' campaigns. "He would take down their names and their information, and he would pledge to get to work on it. This stuff matters. The 'Congresswoman on the Corner' thing was Gabrielle's idea, but it was Gabe's bailiwick."
Zimmerman loved the Arizona outdoors and was a dedicated runner who hiked the Grand Canyon twice, going from the North to the South Rim.
Zimmerman was to be married to Kelly O'Brien, a nurse at Tucson Medical Center, who is a native of Yuma.
He offered an example of how to live a life of public service.
"He would go out of his way to help people in trouble," recalled Daniel Graver, who worked with him in Giffords' office.
"People would come into the congressional office, he would listen to them and give them money for a cab home. Some days during a campaign I would harass him to take a weekend off from his job to work on the campaign. He said to me that if I didn't work, people wouldn't make phone calls but if he didn't work, people didn't eat."
Arizona Daily Star
How to help
Two scholarship funds have been established in honor of Gabe Zimmerman, the director of community outreach for U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who died in a shooting rampage Saturday.
The family set up a fund in Zimmerman's name at Child & Family Resources, where Zimmerman served on the board.
Donations can be made online at www.childfamilyresources.org or mailed to Child & Family Resources, 2800 E. Broadway, Tucson, AZ 85716.
For more information, call 321-3778 or e-mail donationsforgabe@cfraz.org
Meanwhile, two alumni of the University of California-Santa Cruz set up a scholarship fund in his memory.
• Tucson Tragedy Victim Fund. How to contribute: Send a check to Homicide Survivors Inc. (memo line: Tucson Tragedy Victim Fund), 32 N. Stone Ave., Suite 1408, Tucson, AZ 85701. Contributions are tax-deductible.
• Tragedy in Tucson Victims' Fund. How to contribute: Go to www.kvoa.com/pages/tragedy-in-tucson-time-to-heal
• The American Red Cross Southern Arizona Chapter is accepting donations for those who wish to honor U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. How to contribute: Go to www.redcrossarizona.org/giffords
• The Community Food Bank is accepting donations. How to contribute: Go to communityfoodbank.com
Also: multimedia related to the Giffords shootings »»
Jan. 8, 2011
- Rep. Giffords shot, judge and 5 others killed at Tucson event
- Man linked to Giffords shooting rampage called 'very disturbed'
- Witness: Gunman 'was going for the congresswoman'
- Live updates from Giffords press conference
- Officials ID slain Giffords staffer
- Red Cross makes plea for blood following shooting
- Dupnik: Gunman made previous 'threats of death' but not against Giffords
- Remarks by President Obama on the shootings
- Sheriff corrects last name of retiree killed in rampage
- Second Saturdays canceled tonight
- Intersection of Ina and Oracle reopens after shooting
- Tucson retiree was killed at the Giffords event, friends say
- What was in his head? YouTube reveals grievances on currencies, grammar, religion, Constitution
- Vigil for Giffords, other shooting victims
Jan. 9, 2011
- Judge Roll, girl, 3 retirees, aide slain in attack on congresswoman
- A man of faith and devoted to rule of law
- Sheriff's office: 4 people stopped gunman
- Born, died between 2 tragedies
- Tucson girl, 9, killed in rampage, identified
- Giffords' medical condition called 'very precarious'
- 5 federal charges filed against Loughner in Giffords shootings
- Retired couple were in line of fire; he's dead, she's wounded
- Aide had gift for working with people
- Doc was feet from Giffords, aided others in 'surreal' scene
- 'It was clear who (gunman) was going for,' witness says
- Daniel Hernandez, intern, stays by Giffords' side
- Mourners gather by noon at Giffords' Tucson office
- Josh Brodesky: Perhaps now we can come together
- Officials express shock, support for Giffords
- Dupnik: Suspect is mentally unstable
- Red Cross pleads for blood after shootings
- McKale idle after shootings
- House delaying repeal vote on new health-overhaul law
- Authorities clear man called 'person of interest' in Giffords shooting case
- Coverage from around the world
- Giffords shooting: TUSD superintendent's letter to staff
- Gun used in shooting spree bought at Tucson store
- Fitz: Light a candle
Jan. 10, 2011
- Doctors: Rep. Giffords, other shooting victims continue to improve
- Five federal charges filed against Loughner in shooting
- Four Tucsonans stopped gunman: Ordinary citizens became heroes
- Giffords can squeeze hand, hold up fingers
- Giffords' husband offers his gratitude
- Morrises, shot at shopping center gathering, 'were totally in love'
- Shooting leaves NASA stunned
- Shooting victim made quilts, volunteered
- Slaying victims had diverse backgrounds
- Suspect faced no legal barrier to buying gun at local store
- Congress' security tightens; members, families, staff are briefed
- Tucsonans gather to mourn, pray for victims
- 911 callers describe frantic shooting scene
- Bloodshed could have chilling effect on forums
- Slain girl's family - rooted in baseball - gets teams' support
- 'Unabomber' lawyer sought for Tucson gunman
- At the Courthouse: Hero and Mom discuss Saturday's event
- Brewer speech focused on Tucson shooting victims (full text)
- Giffords' husband releases first statement since shooting
- LaWall considers state charges in Tucson shooting spree case
- No bail for shooting spree suspect
- Obama leads moment of silence for Tucson shooting victims
- Pueblo Politics: Kelly cancels Saturday announcement
- Pueblo Politics: Obama talks to families affected by tragedy
- Teddy bears, ribbons adorn young shooting victim's school
- UA: Counseling is available after Saturday's shootings
- Editorial: Let's step back, as Giffords asked
Jan. 11, 2011
- Dupnik's remarks stir political debate
- He credits military training in his role in day's heroics
- Giffords' status unchanged, a favorable sign
- Lawmakers see more security but want to remain accessible
- Obamas coming here for tribute
- Suspect's erratic past telling, experts say
- Expired law banned 31-round magazines
- How is 'incapacity' handled by Congress?
- Mesa Verde students mourn Christina-Taylor Green, 9
- Christina-Taylor Green memorial fund announced
- Loughner, at US hearing in Phoenix, ordered held
- Neighbor: Loughner's parents devastated
- Shooting victims' kin speak out
- State lawmakers push law to block Tucson funeral protests
- Tucson Health: Free state hotline set up for grief counseling
- Tucson Health: Progress website on Giffords' aide
- University of Arizona: Obamas to be at Tucson memorial event Wednesday
- Editorial: It's logical to try to make sense of such horror
- Fitz: Arizona
Jan. 12, 2011
- In an instant, crisis united shopper, aide
- Local 'Angels' group, new AZ law seek to shelter funeral goers from protests
- Loughner's family: Mysteries remain
- President Obama arrives at UMC
- Sales of guns, including Glocks, soar across US
- UMC's Level 1 trauma expands to fill need
- Update: Giffords more responsive less sedated, doc says
- Announced funeral services for the shooting victims
- Giffords' constituents can call Grijalva's office
- In UMC visit, Brewer praises docs' efforts, patients' 'resiliency'
- 3 UMC workers fired for records access
- Church won't protest funerals, school
- Funeral services for shooting victims
- Loughner stopped for running red light hours before attack
- Loughner's parents: 'We don't understand why this happened'
- Pueblo Politics: Grijalva takes over Giffords' constituent work
- Pueblo Politics: House to consider resolution honoring Giffords
- Pueblo Politics: Poll finds most Americans don’t blame shooting on political tone
- Spokesman: Recovery of wounded Giffords' staffer, Ron Barber, going well
- Tucson bishop leads Mass to remember shooting victims
- Victims remembered at Mass
- Editorial: Note to Obamas: Despite tragedy, this is a good town
- Fitz: Gabby
Jan. 13, 2011
- Christina-Taylor made "powerful" difference, mourners told
- 'What matters is not wealth, or status, or power or fame, but how well we have loved'
- 3 UMC workers fired for invading records
- Full text of President Obama's prepared speech
- Giffords' doctor: 'We're very happy at this point'
- Giffords' way: pragmatic service
- Healing words of president a balm to the brokenhearted
- Loughner's contacts with cops
- Memorial fund will honor shooting victim
- Enjoy the journey: Tragedies 40 years apart have same chilling effect
- Found bag containing ammo linked to Tucson shooting suspect
- Calif. judge will handle Loughner's federal case
- Church gives up protest plans, gets radio airtime
- Lawmaker carrying her gun into Senate
- Odd antics at PCC viewed with growing alarm
- UA law college scholarship set up in Roll's name
- Editorial: Obama implores us to open our eyes
- Christina-Taylor liked sports, music, public service
- Fitz: A nation grieves
Jan. 14, 2011
- Hundreds attend Judge Roll's funeral
- Thousands mourn youngest who died
- 'Angels,' bikers help protect girl's funeral
- Giffords making 'all the right moves'
- Reluctant hero can finally sleep
- Safeway starts fund to aid shooting victims
- Vigils for victims of shootings
- Volunteers help city try to heal, one bell at a time
- 2 funds set up in memory of aide
- Shooting victim Barber visits UMC memorial
- Audio: 911 calls about the shooting spree
- Audio: sheriff's radio traffic after Giffords shooting
- Bill would restrict high-load magazines
- Deputies release items found on Loughner after shooting
- Bill would ban gun magazines with more than 10 rounds
- Monks craft a custom casket for Christina
- Retiree shot in the arm he used to shield wife's head from bullets
- Safeway establishes fund for Tucson shooting victims
- Updated: Memorial funds, benefits and hotlines for victims and their families
- Obama's remarks hailed
- Roll was dedicated to family, faith and the law; funeral Mass today
- Editorial: Stop for a moment, before you say it
- This is a time to unify,make peace, build bridges
- Fitz: In memory
Jan. 15, 2011
- Expert: Loughner fit bill for evaluation
- Safeway store, site of mass shooting, reopens
- Funeral Sunday
- Giffords makes 'encouraging' progress
- Loughner's friends, teachers tell of descent into madness
- NBC anchor Williams' 'indelible images' of Tucson
- Roll is laid to rest: 'Papa is in heaven'
- Sheriff's timeline shows Loughner's moves before shootings
- Survivors recall details of shooting
- Over a dozen local officials pledge to quit political vitriol
- Shot twice, Giffords aide stays upbeat
- Arizona allows adults to get court-ordered psychiatric help for anyone
- Eyewitness accounts of wounded victims
- Gunshot victim drove himself to the hospital
- Loughner's activities day of shooting released
- Transcript of Loughner's Sept. 23 video
- Editorial: Get well soon , Gabby: We need your quiet, moderate voice more than ever
- Fitz: Sheriff Dupnik
- Phyllis Schneck, devoted to her family and church
Jan. 16, 2011
- Aide arrived early to make sure event was set to go
- Brewer, key leaders see no reason to curb high-capacity ammo clips
- Busy retiree used free day to meet rep she admired
- Concerned pair had some questions for their US rep
- He wanted to say thanks to Giffords for border work
- Here's short look at some of those who were wounded in the attack
- Josh Brodesky: 3 of the slain had less notice but were loved dearly as well
- Jurist went by to greet, thank his old friend Gabby
- Man who helped restrain Loughner carried a gun
- Memorial funds set up for victims and families
- One awful instant
- Paramedic: 'It was chaos ... my mind went blank'
- Safeway reopens with silent moment
- Schneck's life of service recalled
- Shooting victim held in alleged threat at forum
- The Scoop: They all came: Brian Williams, Katie Couric, etc.
- Third-grader started day snuggling with mom
- Those at the scene share stories
- Political notebook: On edges of tragedy, a ring tone sounds right note
- Neto's Tucson: Even as a child, Daniel Hernandez was calm, poised
- Editorial: After tragedy, let kids know: 'We're in this together'
- Mental-health care is the true insanity
- Public mood has always played a role in violence
- Readers share thoughts about gun control, mental illness, a gentler world
- Fitz: Again and again and again
- Dorwan 'Dory' Stoddard lent skills to those in need
Jan. 17, 2011
Jan. 18, 2011
Jan. 19, 2011
- Kelly: Giffords' commitment is unshakable
- Shrines pop up across city in colorful displays of caring
- Giffords worker relives day of shooting
- Giffords will move to Houston rehab hospital, likely on Friday
- Giffords' husband: She'll return to Congress 'stronger, more committed'
- Loughner indicted on charges of trying to kill Giffords, two aides
- Pima Sheriff's official: Video shows Giffords shot in face
- Fitz: What Arizona can afford
Jan. 20, 2011
Jan. 21, 2011
Jan. 22, 2011
Jan. 23, 2011
Jan. 27, 2011