Robert Mac Zinkan, 82, of Winter Haven, Florida, passed away Saturday, July 1, 2023, in the Good Shepherd Forsythe Hospice House Auburndale, Florida. He was born on February 7, 1941, in Washington, Indiana, to Robert and Mary Katherine (Bullock) Zinkan. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Science degree from Indiana State University. He was a retired teacher, who taught social studies, history, government, and as his students often referred to "The most useful class they were taught." That was how to figure out and file their taxes. Often on his tests, he would include this question: Name three important men born in February. The answer, of course, is Lincoln, Zinkan, and Washington. His classes loved his humor.

Robert taught for over thirty years. He loved watching sports, growing and selling his peaches during the summer months, and watching his grandchildren play sports. After he taught summer school, he would load his family into whatever camping vehicle he currently owned and head to a baseball stadium to enjoy a game with his young son and "his girls"; then he would drive to a national park or historical site where we all "enjoyed" a history lesson or two.

Robert is survived by his wife of 58 years, Cordelia (Holscher); son Dr. Rob Zinkan (Mary) of Bloomington, Indiana; and daughter, Jill Bradley of Lakeland, Florida. He also leaves to cherish his memory six grandchildren, and one great-grandson; two brothers: Jeff (Susan) of Palm Harbor, Florida; and Lou (Mary Ann) of Cincinnati, Ohio; and hundreds of students. He was preceded in death by his parents.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held on July 27 at 10:00 in St. Andrew Catholic Church with the burial following in St. Andrew Cemetery. Contributions may be given to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital P.O. Box 1000 Dept 142 Memphis, Tennessee 38101-9908. Stegall-Berheide-Orr Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at stegallberheideorr.com