Norman “Wally” Zirbel

November 15, 1918 – August 5, 2013

Norman “Wally Zirbel” passed away in Tucson, Arizona on August 5, 2013 after a brief illness. He was 94. Wally and his late wife, Rosemary, were 30-year residents of Mercer Island. It is where they raised their three children. In 1985, they relocated to Tucson but always maintained lifelong friendships with his island and Seattle area friends and former work colleagues. Born in Detroit, MI, he settled on the west coast following a WWII posting in the Pacific where he was a Captain in the U.S. Army. He joined Pacific Northwest Bell where he worked for 40 years as an executive before retiring. In work and in life, he was known for his impeccable integrity, kindness, character and selfless devotion to his family. Following the death of his wife, he married for a second time at 90 to Jean Detels, until her death in 2012. He led a happy and vital life taking excellent care of his health which allowed him to remain independent and happy up till the end. He is survived by his daughter, Julie, Tucson; son Tom, Phoenix, son Curtis, Woodinville; sister Lenore, East Tawas, MI; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.