Robert Zinke

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Robert (Bob) Ray Zinke, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. Bob peacefully left us on August 31, 2025, at the age of 77, in Bismarck, ND. Robert "Bob" Zinke, 77, Bismarck, passed away August 31, 2025. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, September 5 at Church of St. Anne, 1321 Braman Ave, Bismarck.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Eastgate Funeral Service, 2302 E Divide Ave, Bismarck. A rosary/vigil service will begin at 7 p.m.

Burial will be held 3 p.m. Friday at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan.

Born on October 20, 1947, in Bismarck, ND, to Jim and Jessie Zinke, Bob graduated from Bismarck High School in 1965 before enlisting in the United States Air Force. On September 28, 1968, he married the love of his life, Anna Laura Zahn, and together they began their journey at McDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL, where Bob proudly served for four years. During their time in Tampa, their first daughter, Toni Ann, was born.

After his military service, Bob and Laura moved to Williston, ND, where he began a long and successful career with Dowell Schlumberger. It was here that their family grew, welcoming two more daughters, Tricia and Bobbi. The oil field took them to Dickinson, ND, and later to Worland, WY, where they lived for 19 years. Upon his retirement from Schlumberger in 2006, Bob and Laura relocated to Bismarck, where they spent his remaining years close to family and friends.

Bob was a man of many passions. He had a deep love for woodworking, spending hours crafting beautiful pieces that will be cherished by his family for generations. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing, boating, and riding motorcycles. He had a deep love for cars, often finding him tinkering and fine-tuning his vehicles with a Black Velvet Diet Coke in hand. And, of course, he was an avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings, a passion he carried throughout his life.

Above all, Bob’s greatest pride and joy were his wife, three daughters, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Family was the very heart of his being, and he treasured every moment spent with them. His love for them was endless, and his legacy lives on in the memories, stories, and laughter they share.

Bob is lovingly survived by his wife of 56 years, Anna Laura (Zahn) Zinke; daughters, Toni Ann Hofer (Daryl), Hebron, ND, Tricia Zinke, Bismarck, ND, and Bobbi Huhnke (Sean Kennedy), Clarksville, TN. He will be deeply missed by his grandchildren, Desirae Reuer (DJ) and Tanner Hofer, both of Hebron, ND, Brody Zinke of Bismarck, ND, and MaKenna Michaelis (Ryan) of Clarksville, TN; his great-grandchildren, Otto, Lola, and Otis Reuer, who brought him immeasurable joy; his sister, Patricia (Dennis) Lokis, Puyallup, WA.

Bob is also survived by his dear brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews, each of whom held a special place in his heart.

He was preceded in death by his father, Julius (Jim) Zinke; mother, Jessie (Fields) Zinke-Sidebottom; step-father, Ken Sidebottom; brother, Dennis Zinke; step-sister, Bonnie Kay Wargi; and his beloved father-in-law and mother-in-law, Anton and Ann Zahn.