Christian Zimmerman

Benjamin Christian Zimmerman is an American pastor, former politician, retired United States Air Force pilot, and commercial pilot from Idaho. Zimmerman was a Republican member of the Idaho House of Representatives.

Christian Zimmerman
Member of the Idaho House of Representatives
from the District 8, seat A district
In office
December 1, 1996 – December 1, 2000
Preceded byGayle Ann Wilde
Succeeded byKen Roberts
Personal details
Born (1940-04-14) April 14, 1940
Shasi, Hubei, China
(present-day Jingzhou, Hubei, China)
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMelvia Kahale
Children3
Alma materBoise State University, National Defense University
OccupationPastor, politician, USAF pilot and commercial pilot
Military career
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Air Force
Years of service1959–1989
RankLieutenant colonel

Early life

On April 14, 1940, Zimmerman was born in Shasi, Hubei Province, China. Zimmerman's parents were Lutheran missionaries in China. Zimmerman has a sister, Katharine.[1][2]

Education

Zimmerman attended Boise State University and Iowa State University. In 1980, Zimmerman earned a master of divinity degree from Concordia Seminary in Clayton, Missouri. In 1985, Zimmerman earned a degree from National Defense University.[1]

Career

In military, in 1959, Zimmerman served as an officer and a pilot in the US Air Force and Air National Guard and Reserve, until 1989. Zimmerman is a lieutenant colonel.[1][2][3]

In 1968, Zimmerman became a commercial pilot for Trans World Airlines, until his retirement in May 1995.[2]

In 1980, Zimmerman 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. Zimmerman survived a beating at the hands of the hijackers. Eventually, most of the passengers and crew members were released. Zimmerman returned to Boise, Idaho, on July 4, 1985.[2][5][4] In November 1985, Zimmerman became the author of Hostage in a Hostage World: Hope Aboard Hijacked TWA 847.[6]

In May 1995, Zimmerman became a city council member of Cascade, Idaho, and became council president.[2]

On November 5, 1996, Zimmerman won the election and became a Republican member of Idaho House of Representatives for District 8, seat A. Zimmerman defeated Gayle Wilde with 88.6% of the votes.[7][2] On November 3, 1998, as an incumbent, Zimmerman won the election unopposed and continued serving District 8, seat A.[8][1]

In April 2014, at age 74, Zimmerman became a pastor of Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Ontario.[9]

Awards
  • 1986 Silver Medillion award, presented by Boise State University[1]

Personal life

Zimmerman's wife is Melvia Kahale. They have three children. Zimmerman and his family live in Cascade, Idaho.[1]

See also

References
  1. "Christian Zimmerman's Biography". Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  2. "Idaho lawmaker discusses impact of his 7 brushes with death". deseret.com. April 8, 1997. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  3. "Benjamin Christian Zimmerman Collection". memory.loc.gov. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  4. Smith, William E. (June 24, 2001). "Terror Aboard Flight 847". time.com. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  5. "The return home of ex-hostage Benjamin Christian Zimmermann will..." upi.com. July 2, 1985. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  6. "Hostage in a Hostage World: Hope Aboard Hijacked TWA 847". goodreads.com. November 1985. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  7. "November 5, 1996 General Election Results". sos.idaho.gov. November 5, 1996. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  8. "November 3, 1998 General Election Results". sos.idaho.gov. November 3, 1998. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  9. Meyer, Larry (April 8, 2014). "Pilot, pastor, and politician". argusobserver.com. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
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