He told Fulton Books his story and ultimately published his book, “ABC Power Word Fables,” with the company in 2024.

Zimmerman’s story begins when he was born in Shamokin, Pa., and grew up in Lewistown.

While living in Lewistown, he was a paper delivery boy for the Lewistown Sentinel around 1948. When he was about 12 or 13 years old, Zimmerman delivered newspapers that cost about 3 cents.

He would get home from school around 3:30 p.m. every day, go to the Sentinel press room for a stack of 120 to 130 newspapers, and travel eight blocks.

Submitted photo
Pictured is Dr. Z, Ronald Zimmerman, in 1997.

“I became pretty strong,” Zimmerman said.

He walked along his Third Street route, which he used to call “Church Street” as various churches, including the First Methodist Church and many others across the street or along the route.

Zimmerman said he was introduced to many religions in this way. Next on the way down his route, he would encounter Wayne Street School which was next to the county prison.

He traveled further west along the route before finishing his daily duties, for which he received about 20 cents per week.

Zimmerman also said he developed his values and beliefs as a Boy Scout. He was truly an all-American boy with a dad who made it to about fourth or fifth grade and built his family’s home majority by himself.

Later in life, in 1954, Zimmerman set a pole vaulting record of 10 feet, 9 inches, winning the pole vaulting event and qualifying for state finals.

“I think I could do whatever I wanted in life,” Zimmerman thought when he recalled how he felt during his big win.

He also participated in football and wrestling in addition to his high-achieving track and field days. Zimmerman was jersey number 52 and acted as a defensive tackle.

When Zimmerman experienced pain in football practice, he wondered then if old age would be like fighting through his most memorable wrestling match in his junior year of high school. In this match, he beat the 185-pound weight class and was not pinned when he bridged for a whole class period.

After he graduated from Lewistown High School in 1954, Zimmerman made many achievements including earning a cum laude degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1958, followed by a medical degree in 1962. After completing an internship and serving as a general medical officer in the U.S. Air Force, he specialized in physical medicine and rehabilitation, becoming board certified in 1970.

Zimmerman directed the PM&R residency at St. Francis Medical Center from 1970 to 1996, served as president of Pennsylvania’s PM&R Society, and was a clinical assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh. He retired in 2007 after 39 years in practice and now enjoys gardening, reading about biotechnology, and sharing the “ABC Power Word Fables.”

“Did I find my destiny, or was it determined?” Zimmerman wondered about his family encouraging him to pursue his career path in medicine and teaching.

Zimmerman was inspired to write his novel over a few years after reading Stephen R. Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”

Zimmerman valued Covey’s vision that one must live life with purpose, be proactive, and prepare as life goes on.

He was equally inspired by author, coach, and motivational speaker Anthony Robbins, who aims to teach others how to live better, more fulfilling lives.

In Zimmerman’s novel, he takes care to teach youth and young adults about communication and leadership.

“This story’s not about me, it’s about Lewistown,” Zimmerman said of his life story and novel.

Stephen R. Covey was a springboard for Zimmerman to promote his novel, which contains 25 short stories, each 10 to 20 minutes long, to promote individual character development with a principle-centered and effective leadership theme.

Each story in his novel is of a new fictional character detailing a fantasy story to engage readers seeking entertainment and teach readers valuable life lessons like taking action in life, enthusiastically meeting challenges, developing character, and more.

“ABC Power Word Fables” can be found at bookstores, or online at the Apple store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.