Bob Zahn July 6, 1934 - January 6, 2008

Playboy cartoonist Bob Zahn died on Sunday, January 6, 2008 at the Hospice Care Unit at Citrus Memorial Health System in Inverness, Florida.



Bob lived and cartooned in Syracuse, NY. He was a commercial artist with General Electric there for 35 years, drawing cartoons in his spare time. He drew even more once he retired. He had a syndicated panel, titled "Bigg's Business" from 1972 to 1979. Five years ago, he and his wife Donna moved to Florida.

According to friend and fellow gag cartoonist Randy Glasbergen, when Bob loosened up his style, he would sometimes sign his single panel cartoons "Carroll."

I didn't know Bob, but I've seen his cartoons in Playboy, and other publications like Good Housekeeping and Reader's Digest. He did a prolific number of golfing cartoon books, as well as greeting cards. The energy and verve he felt for cartooning came out in his clean, fun line work. He influenced a number of cartoonist colleagues.

• The Bob Zahn site is here.
  
  
• Bob Zahn cartoons at Cartoonfile.net.
  
  
• UPDATE: A profile by Tom Spurgeon at ComicsReporter.com
  
  
• The obituary from The Citrus County Chronicle Online:

Carroll Robert Zahn Jr., 73, Beverly Hills, died Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008, at the Hospice Care Unit at Citrus Memorial Health System in Inverness.

Born July 6, 1934, in Phoenix, N.Y., to Carroll R. Zahn Sr. and Eva (McKay) Zahn, he moved here five years ago from Central Square, N.Y.

Mr. Zahn retired from General Electric’s military equipment manufacturing division as a commercial artist with 35 years of service.

His enjoyments in life were drawing, spending time with his family and his dog, “Abby.” Other enjoyments included spending time with his Florida friends with whom he enjoyed dinners, playing cards, golf and fishing.

Mr. Zahn was a nationally known cartoonist and published several cartoon books.
He was Catholic.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Donna J. Zahn; two sons, Thomas C. Zahn and companion Michael McGuirl of Syracuse, N.Y., and Michael R. Zahn and fiancée Cherie Sutton of N. Syracuse, N.Y.; one daughter, Kelly A. Bogart and husband Jeff of Redwood, N.Y.; one brother, Richard C. Zahn and wife Beverly of Tarpon Springs; five grandchildren, Aubree, Sarah, Lauren, Zachary and Dawna; one great-grandchild, Jalen; and best friend, Vincent Frey of Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Hospice of Citrus County, P.O. Box 641270, Beverly Hills, FL 34464.

Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home with Crematory, Inverness.