ENGLEWOOD, Colo — Larry Zimmer, one of the more iconic radio sports voices in Broncos and Colorado Buffalo history, passed away Saturday evening, the team and school jointly announced.
Zimmer was 88.
Zimmer began calling Broncos' games on KOA-AM radio alongside play-by-play voice Bob Martin in 1971. When Martin died of cancer in 1990, Zimmer became the Broncos' play-by-play broadcaster, a position he served with Dave Logan as his color commentator. In 1997, Logan became the Broncos' play-by-play announcer.
Zimmer was also the radio voice of the University of Colorado Boulder Buffaloes football and basketball teams for 42 years in the period between 1971-2015.
“Larry was the voice of the Buffaloes when I was in high school,” Logan said in a statement. “He broadcast every game of my career and then to have a chance to work with him starting in 1990 doing Bronco games was really a blessing for me. He was a great partner, a great broadcaster and great person.”
Zimmer not only broadcast more than 500 games home and away for the Broncos and more than 1,000 games for Buffs over the years, but his wife Brigitte also accompanied him on many of the games. Zimmer was also a member of the Broncos' Ring of Fame selection committee for nearly 30 years.
“The Broncos are deeply saddened by the passing of legendary radio broadcaster and longtime Ring of Fame committee member Larry Zimmer,'' the team said in a statement. "During his 52-year association with the Broncos, Larry called some of the franchise’s most iconic moments and helped honor some of our greatest legends. Our thoughts go out to Larry’s wife, Brigitte, and his entire family.”
Zimmer had been hospitalized in recent days at St. Anthony’s in Lakewood, where he welcomed several visitors, from former Broncos and Buffs players, to close friends to former radio station (KOA) employees.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Brigitte, his son Lawrence III (Linda), daughter Tracy (J.C. Robb) and granddaughter Shannon Robb.
Zimmer will receive a military funeral at Fort Logan Cemetery at a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to “Opera Colorado” or the “Larry & Brigitte Zimmer Sports Announcing Endowed Scholarship” at the University of Colorado, where as an adjunct professor, Zimmer taught a broadcasting class for 11 years.
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