Story Published:
Jan 5, 2009 at 9:13 AM CDT
Story Updated:
Jan 5, 2009 at 2:18 PM CDT
SAVANNAH, GA -- Don Zeman, known to millions of radio listeners and television viewers across the country as "America´s Home Improvement Expert" died suddenly on Dec. 31 while on vacation in Mississippi. He was 55 years old.
Homefront with Don Zeman was a nationally syndicated home improvement radio show heard each Saturday morning in more than 300 markets across the United States and Canada.
Born in Springfield, Missouri
A native of Missouri, Zeman was born May 26, 1953, in Springfield. He was the son of Donald Zeman Sr. and Ruth Chalupny. He attended schools in Florissant in St. Louis County.
At an early age, took up bowling. He learned to bowl before his sixth birthday and became a professional bowler before his 16th birthday. He traveled across the Midwest competing and earned a place in the Bowling Hall of Fame in St. Louis. He bowled at all of the Dick Weber Lanes and opened a Pro Shop with Richie Weber.
Zeman was a salesman before he began renovating homes in the historic Soulard district in St. Louis as well as south St. Louis. He later moved to Pensacola, Fla., and Columbia, Mo., where he built and renovated homes.
On Dec. 29, 1994, Homefront was born when KFRU radio of Columbia asked Zeman to fill in for their regular home improvement host who quit suddenly. His radio career was launched.
Heard by more than 3 million people
Zeman grew Homefront into the premier home improvement program on radio. Homefront was heard by more than 3.2 million listeners across the United States and Canada. He added a second franchise, Hints from the Homefront, 90-second daily radio hints in 218 markets across the U.S.
In 2002, he established News from the Homefront TV segments. In addition, Zeman regularly conducted media tours discussing energy savings, water savings, hurricane preparedness, and curb appeal, appearing on television news programs across the country. He appeared on CNBC´s Squawkbox, The Daily Buzz, and top 25-market stations across the U.S.
See related article on Don Zeman
Zeman married Nancy Roberts of Paris, Ill., on March 26, 2002, in Las Vegas. They were partners in work, life, and love. In March 2006, they purchased their dream home in Savannah, Ga., and renovated the historic property.
The house is home to the state-of-art television and radio studios, the Homefront offices and their three beloved cats, whom he named, Maggie, Rachel and Darla.
Zeman was proud of Homefront where his trademark was "Grab Your Tools, You Can Do This Stuff!" He believed his mission was to educate homeowners and consumers.
He once said, "When we open the phones up each Saturday morning, I never know what we´re going to talk about. It´s the listeners´ program. That´s why I love it."
He was especially proud of the relationships and friendships he forged over the 14 years of Homefront with Kohler/Sterling, Simonton Windows, Fypon, Rust-Oleum, Zinsser, Wolman, Woodcraft, Icynene, Original Brand Sawblades, The Big Green Egg, Spectrum Brands, and The Original Grille Pad.
Surviving beside his wife are a son, Timothy Alan Zeman and his wife, Andrea, of High Ridge Mo.; three grandchildren, Chloe Fletcher, and Corey and Olivia Zeman, all of High Ridge; his father and his wife, Don and Debbie Zeman of St. Peters, Mo.; two sisters, Debbie and Mark Oesch of Hazelwood, Mo.; and Donna of Gerald, Mo., 11 nieces and nephews and six great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Zeman and a niece.
In leui of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Camp Courageous in Iowa at www.campcourageous.com.
You can hear the final show this Saturday on these radio stations:
KBNN 750 AM , Lebanon, , Lake Ozark, Camdenton, Osage Beach, Rolla, MO
KIRX 1450 AM, Edina, Kirksville, MO
KSGF 1260 AM, Branson, Joplin, Springfield, 1260 AM
KWIX 1230 AM Brookfield, Centralia, Fayette, Macon, Moberly, Paris, Shelbina, Hannibal, West Plains, MO
