Dee Zeller
September 25, 1931- June 3, 2022
“If ever there has been a real world model for people who wish to make the world a better place whenever they meet someone, it is Dee Zeller. In my view, his ethic of service to others is rarely matched. And his respect for, and knowledge of, the natural world was always surprising me. He has anchored the public interface with a very special place – Big Morongo Canyon Preserve – for so long. We all owe him so much gratitude for who he is, and what he has done for all of us. “
– Jim Kenna, Retired California State Director, Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Dee Alden Zeller passed away on Friday June 3, 2022, at 90, shortly after retiring as host from his position at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. He loved good music, all things nature and sharing a good story.
Dee was preceded in death by Betty Zeller, his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of 64 years.
Dee was born in South Bend, Indiana on September 25, 1931, to Don and Loa Zeller, the oldest of two children and raised in Bryan, Ohio. His childhood stories entertained many with images of love, mischief, and exploration that led to a passion for reading, learning and celebrating life. He passed these affections on to his five children who all inherited his love for music and reading, and shared adventures camping, beach trips and in search of the elusive bird de jour.
After graduating from high school, Dee spent two years in the Navy, as a dental tech before moving his growing family from Ohio to Arizona and finally to California. After several years driving for the Los Angeles Rapid Transit District, his retirement birthed a life of travel, discovery and birdwatching with Betty.
When Dee and Betty retired, they packed their recreational vehicle and hit the road. They toured the country following migratory bird routes for two years, which led to a second career as volunteer camp hosts at Thousand Palms Preserve and the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, where they lived for 26 years. While leading the volunteer force and expanded education programs, Dee served as a bird expert guiding weekly bird walks, posting data from each walk and sharing rare sightings with new and seasoned birdwatchers.
He could be found on trails toting a chainsaw to clear downed trees and assisting with the following scientific efforts on the grounds: hummingbird banding; spring studies; vulture studies; and invasive plant and bird species. While serving as volunteers and preserve hosts, Dee and Betty were honored, recognized, and awarded a list of accolades. This list consists of the Chuck Osborne Volunteer of the Year Award by the Morongo Valley Community Services District, being named Grand Marshalls of the “Shortest Parade in the World” at the Fiesta Days in Morongo Valley, honored in Washington D.C. and presented with the Bureau of Land Management’s “Making A Difference” National Volunteer Award, and presented the Minerva Hoyt Conservation Award by the Joshua Tree National Park Association for their environmental stewardship and education activities.
Dee truly believed in community, service to that community, and connecting to others through time well spent. Fellow volunteers, his family, and visitors experienced this truth sitting with him, listening to his musical selections floating from inside the RV, while observing wildlife from the shade of his porch. He felt our world could be improved is everyone dedicated a bit of their time towards the common good, took time to commune with nature, and enjoyed some be-bop jazz and a good laugh or two.
His children survive him: John (Susan) Zeller of Fountain Hills, AZ, Patricia (Edward) Cushing of McKinleyville, CA, Donald “Bear” Zeller of Morongo Valley, CA, Shari (Perry) Clark of Peoria, AZ, Karen (Kenneth) Cross of Missouri City, TX and 14 grand, 23 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren as well as his sister, Sharon Zeller-Clark of St. Augustine, FL.
At Dee’s request, no services are planned. However donations may be made in his honor to Friends of Big Morongo Canyon Preserve at PO Box 780, Morongo Valley, CA 92256 or online at https://www.bigmorongo.org/donate/ .