Home Improvement Expert Don Zeman Dies
National Desk
January 03, 2009
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 December 31, 2008, while on vacation in Mississippi. He was 55 years old. Zeman was host of Homefront with Don Zeman, the nationally syndicated home improvement radio show heard each Saturday morning in more than 300 markets across the U.S. and Canada.
A native of Missouri, Zeman was born May 26, 1953 in Springfield MO, the son of Donald H. Zeman Sr. and Ruth Chalupny. He attended schools in Florissant MO and 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 MO. 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 MO as well as south St. Louis. He later moved to Pensacola FL and Columbia MO where he built and renovated homes. On Dec. 29, 1994, Homefront was born when Columbia MO radio station KFRU asked Zeman to fill in for their regular home improvement host who quit suddenly. His radio career was launched.
Zeman grew Homefront into the premier home improvement program on radio. Homefront was heard by more than 3.2 million listeners across the U.S. 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, Don 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.
Zeman married the former Nancy Roberts of Paris IL on March 26, 2002, in Las Vegas NV. 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 MO; 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.
A native of Missouri, Zeman was born May 26, 1953 in Springfield MO, the son of Donald H. Zeman Sr. and Ruth Chalupny. He attended schools in Florissant MO and 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 MO. 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 MO as well as south St. Louis. He later moved to Pensacola FL and Columbia MO where he built and renovated homes. On Dec. 29, 1994, Homefront was born when Columbia MO radio station KFRU asked Zeman to fill in for their regular home improvement host who quit suddenly. His radio career was launched.
Zeman grew Homefront into the premier home improvement program on radio. Homefront was heard by more than 3.2 million listeners across the U.S. 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, Don 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.
Zeman married the former Nancy Roberts of Paris IL on March 26, 2002, in Las Vegas NV. 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 MO; 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.