Don Zeman, known to millions of radio listeners and television viewers
across the country as "America’s Home Improvement Expert" died
suddenly on Dec. 31, 2008, while on vacation in Mississippi. He was 55 years
old. Zeman was host of
Homefront with Don Zeman,
the nationally syndicated home improvement radio show heard each Saturday
morning in more than 300 markets across the U.S. and
Canada.
Zeman was a salesman before he began renovating homes in the historic Soulard
district in St. Louis. He later moved to Pensacola, FL, and Columbia, MO, where
he built and renovated homes. On Dec. 29, 1994, Homefront was born when
Columbia, MO, radio station KFRU asked Zeman to fill in for their regular home
improvement host who quit suddenly. His radio career was launched.
Zeman grew Homefront into the premier home improvement program on radio.
Homefront was heard by more than 3.2 million listeners across the U.S. and
Canada. He added a second franchise,
Hints from the
Homefront, 90-second daily radio hints in 218 markets across the U.S.
In 2002, he established
News from the Homefront TV segments.
In addition, Don Zeman regularly conducted media tours discussing energy
savings, water savings, hurricane preparedness, and curb appeal, appearing on
television news programs across the country. He appeared on CNBC’s
Squawkbox,
The Daily Buzz, and top 25-market stations across the U.S.
Zeman married the former Nancy Roberts of Paris, IL, on March 26, 2002, in Las
Vegas, NV. They were partners in work, life, and love. In March 2006, they
purchased their dream home in Savannah, GA, and renovated the historic
property. The house is home to the state-of-art television and radio studios,
the Homefront offices and their three beloved cats, whom he named, Maggie,
Rachel and Darla.
Zeman was proud of Homefront where his trademark was "Grab Your Tools, You
Can Do This Stuff!" He believed his mission was to educate homeowners and
consumers. He once said, "When we open the phones up each Saturday
morning, I never know what we’re going to talk about. It’s the listeners’
program. That’s why I love it." He was especially proud of the
relationships and friendships he forged over the 14 years of Homefront with
Kohler/Sterling, Simonton Windows, Fypon, Rust-Oleum, Zinsser, Wolman,
Woodcraft, Icynene, Original Brand Sawblades, The Big Green Egg, Spectrum
Brands, and The Original Grille Pad.
Surviving beside his wife are a son, Timothy Alan Zeman and his wife, Andrea,
of High Ridge, MO; three grandchildren, Chloe Fletcher, and Corey and Olivia
Zeman, all of High Ridge, MO; his father and his wife, Don and Debbie Zeman of
St. Peters, MO; two sisters, Debbie and Mark Oesch of Hazelwood, MO; and Donna
of Gerald, MO; 11 nieces and nephews and six great-nieces and nephews. He was
preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Zeman and a niece.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Camp
Courageous in Iowa at
www.campcourageous.com.
