Beecher L. Zollinger, D.O.

He was born on March 12, 1934, the youngest of eight children, to Genoa and Ellen Howe Zollinger in Loveland, Colorado.

He spent his earlier years growing up in Lakewood, Colorado. He attended a work study program stressing education and hard work at Little Creek Academy in Tennessee. Beecher took these ideas and applied them throughout his life. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. After an honorable discharge, he attended Kansas City Osteopathic College. After graduation, he moved to New Jersey becoming a staff member of Newton Hospital.

He was a founding physician of Hackettstown Hospital. Beecher had private practices in Buttzville and Hackettstown. He also worked for the State of New Jersey at Hunterdon Developmental Center in Clinton, New Jersey. After retiring, he moved to Bloomsbury, New Jersey where he had a small farm raising vegetables and flowers. He sold (practically gave away) his blackberries and rhubarb to Roger’s Transfer in Townsbury, NJ. Beecher enjoyed people, conversation and always learning new things. Even in retirement, he continued his education by attending weekly medical meetings at Easton Hospital. His hobbies included gardening, scuba diving, flying and just about anything involving working with his hands.

He is survived by his wife Kathleen of Reigelsville, Pa., his daughter Sue and her husband Frank VanderHoof as well as his grandson Frank and his wife Amanda of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, his step-son Darren Hasara and wife Tina and their sons Matthew and Kyle of Milford, New Jersey, his step-son Don Hasara and wife Rosemary Ahearn-Hasara and their children Brendan, Colm and Deirdre of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, his brothers Robert and Leland of Tennessee and sister Betty Ashlock of Oregon as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his daughter Annie as well as brothers George, Glenn, Ed and sister Shirley Chastain.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Finegan Funeral Home, Phillipsburg, NJ. Services will be private and at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 99 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ. 07860 who provided Beecher with their most compassionate care. Also, to Common Sense for Animals, 2420 Route 57, P.O. Box 589, Broadway, NJ. 08808 for Beecher’s love of animals and farming.