Retired Navy Captain Stewart Taylor Zink died peacefully on November 21, 2016, at age 87. Stew was a man of strength, courage, and faith. Born in Kansas City, MO, he was preceded in death by his parents, COL David Daniel Zink (USAR) and Virginia Taylor Zink; his brother David Daniel Zink, II; his first wife Edith (Dee) Pollock Zink; and his second wife Alice (Polly) Kingston Zink. Left to cherish his life are his three daughters, Virginia (Ginny) Zink Bush, Katherine Taylor Zink, and Marion (Mimi) Roach and her husband Ashley Patterson Roach; brother-in-law George Paul Kingston and his wife Rebecca McCoy Kingston; brother-in-law Lewis Alexander Pollock; sister-in-law Alice Pollock Montgomery; niece Laurie Wilson Zink; six grand-children; five great grandchildren; a great-niece; a great-nephew; and many dear friends. Mr. Zink (Stew) attended the University of Texas, Austin, was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, and received a Master of Science in Engineering from Princeton University. He served his nation for more than 29 years as a naval officer and aviator, and for an additional 19 years as an engineering consultant supporting the Navy. He taught engineering at the U.S. Naval Academy, attended the Naval War College, and served during the Korean War and in Vietnam. At the Naval Air Systems Command he was Assistant Director of the Airframes Division, and later Director of the GSE Logistics Division. After retirement from the Navy at Ketron, Inc. he authored many military standards and specifications for acquisition and logistic support. He also coauthored a handbook for Navy logistics managers, and trained Brazilian Navy personnel at their equivalent of the U.S. Center for Naval Analyses, the Escola de Guerra Naval in Rio de Janeiro. After a second retirement, he continued volunteering with the Red Cross, United Way of Greater Williamsburg, and at the Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center. He loved traveling with family and writing trip logs and short stories, many of which were printed in professional magazines. Mr. Zink was a member of the Military Order of World Wars, the Society of Logistics Engineers, the Tailhook Association, the Crown Colony Club, and the Kingsmill Yacht Club, where he was the Treasurer for 11 years. A memorial service in Williamsburg and graveside services at Arlington National Cemetery will be held at later dates. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, 875 North Randolph St, Suite 225, Arlington, VA 22213, or to the Cancer Research Institute, http://www.cancerresearch.org/about, or to your favorite charity.
Arrangements under the direction of Nelsen Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
December 22, 2016
Louise Clutterbuck
My condolences to the family. He was a great patriotic and human being. He was my boss at Ketron, Inc., Crystal City VA.
December 12, 2016
The Currans
What an amazing man. Such an inspiration to us all. He will be missed dearly.
The Currans
November 29, 2016
William & Hilda Page
Commander Zink was one in a million. The Iron Angels were so privileged to have him attend several of our yearly reunions. We will miss his friendly face and kind words tremendously. God rest his soul.
RIP Dear Friend. From the VF-141 Iron Angels.
November 29, 2016
Mary Schoen
To the family, I was sorry to learn of your dad's recent passing. What an interesting career he held, serving as a Naval Officer and then later as a contractor. And he certainly had many hobbies and interests, including writing. You and yours are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Take care, Mary Caldwell Schoen
November 28, 2016
What a great guy and true inspiration for us all. He was always one of our favorites at The Whaling Company. We will miss him.
November 28, 2016
Carol Masser
I have such fond memories of Stew and Polly working with us in the early days of Menchville House Ministries. Every week they worked in our office, doing whatever was needed. Stew's faithful volunteer work in many volunteer capacities is a testimony to his life of service.
November 28, 2016
Debi Hardin
My love and prayers go out to the family.
Stew was such a gem. He volunteered with us here at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center for many years
and was a faithful auxiliary member.
He always had a smile and a complement
for everyone, but especially the ladies.
I will miss him stopping in and giving me a hug.
Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results
Funeral services provided by:
Nelsen Funeral Home - Williamsburg3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23188
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more