Alan R. Zinsmeister, Ph.D.

August 15, 1951-January 6, 2026

Alan Robert Zinsmeister, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and respected scientist, passed away on January 6, 2026 in Rochester, MN.

He was born on August 15, 1951, in Wausau, Wisconsin, to Robert and Violet Zinsmeister, and grew up grounded in the values of family, curiosity, and hard work that guided him throughout his life. Al devoted his professional career to biomedical research as an accomplished biostatistician at The Mayo Clinic, where he served for 35 years. His work made meaningful contributions across multiple fields, including gastroenterology, medical resource utilization, diabetes, and laboratory experimentation! He earned his Ph.D. from Florida State University, and his bachelor's degree from Luther College.

Above all, Al cherished his family. He is survived by his wife, Deborah; his three children; two step-children, and ten grandchildren, who brought him immense joy and pride. He was one of four brothers and valued deeply the bond he shared with his siblings.

Al found happiness in the outdoors and in time spent with those he loved. He enjoyed biking, hiking, swimming, and traveling. A thoughtful and avid reader, Al had a quiet curiosity about the world and a gentle steady presence that will be fondly remembered by all who knew him. Alan will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.mackenfuneralhome.com