Christian Zimmermann | |
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Member of the IdahoHouseofRepresentatives 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 | Shasi,Hubei,China (present-day Jingzhou,Hubei,China) | April 14,1940
Political 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 | ![]() |
Service | ![]() |
Years of service | 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]
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]
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. [9]
Zimmermann's wife is Melvia Kahale. They have three children. Zimmermann and his family live in Cascade,Idaho. [1]