Christian Zimmerman
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Christian Zimmermann | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Idaho House of Representatives from the District 8, seat A district | |
| In office December 1, 1996 – December 1, 2000 | |
| Preceded by | Gayle Ann Wilde |
| Succeeded by | Ken Roberts |
| Personal details | |
| Born | April 14, 1940 |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Melvia Kahale |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Boise State University, National Defense University |
| Occupation | Pastor, politician, USAF pilot and commercial pilot |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Service years | 1959–1989 |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
Benjamin Christian Zimmermann is an American pastor, former politician, retired United States Air Force pilot, and commercial pilot from Idaho. Zimmermann was a Republican member of the Idaho House of Representatives.
On April 14, 1940, Zimmermann was born in Shasi, Hubei Province, China. Zimmermann's parents were Lutheran missionaries in China. Zimmermann has a sister, Katharine.[1][2]
Education
Zimmermann attended Boise State University and Iowa State University. In 1980, Zimmermann earned a master of divinity degree from Concordia Seminary in Clayton, Missouri. In 1985, Zimmermann earned a degree from National Defense University.[1]
Career
In military, in 1959, Zimmermann served as an officer and a pilot in the US Air Force and Air National Guard and Reserve, until 1989. Zimmermann is a lieutenant colonel.[1][2][3]
In 1968, Zimmermann became a commercial pilot for Trans World Airlines, until his retirement in May 1995.[2]
In 1980, Zimmermann became a Lutheran minister, and is a pastor in Idaho.[1][4]
On June 14, 1985, as a flight engineer of TWA Flight 847, his airplane was hijacked by Lebanese Shiite Muslims on a flight from Athens, Greece to Rome, Italy. The airplane eventually landed in Beirut. Zimmermann survived a beating at the hands of the hijackers. Eventually, most of the passengers and crew members were released. Zimmermann returned to Boise, Idaho, on July 4, 1985.[2][5][4] In November 1985, Zimmermann became the author of Hostage in a Hostage World: Hope Aboard Hijacked TWA 847.[6]
In May 1995, Zimmermann became a city council member of Cascade, Idaho, and became council president.[2]
On November 5, 1996, Zimmermann won the election and became a Republican member of Idaho House of Representatives for District 8, seat A. Zimmermann defeated Gayle Wilde with 88.6% of the votes.[7][2] On November 3, 1998, as an incumbent, Zimmermann won the election unopposed and continued serving District 8, seat A.[8][1]
In April 2014, at age 74, Zimmermann became a pastor of Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Ontario, Oregon.[9]
Awards
- 1986 Silver Medillion award, presented by Boise State University[1]
Personal life
Zimmermann's wife is Melvia Kahale. They have three children. Zimmermann and his family live in Eagle, Idaho.[1]