First shock and then sadness are the feelings following the death of Valley Falls Mayor Bob Zieg.

He had been in the Meriden community for over 20 years while he pastored the Rock Creek Bible Church. Then he and his wife, Marilyn, built the assisted living complex at Valley Falls called LinnWood Place a decade ago.

Bob was a talented fellow who took a leadership role. While others talked about doing this or that, he was grabbing a ladder and a bucket of paint and going to work. He was a Lions Club member, but last week helped the Rotary pick up trash along the highway.

When he saw a vacuum to fill at city hall, he ran for mayor. That’s the role in which I saw him most often and grew to appreciate his calm and thoughtful ways.

He was a funny guy at heart and while wrestling with sewers and streets is boring stuff, he was always quick with a smile or laugh when the silly or ironic surfaced. He had put a lot of effort into establishing a walking and exercise trail around part of the city utilizing public land.

I compared him to the comedian Bob Newhart. He would have that outward expressionless appearance and then break into a big smile.

People will remember him differently in the many roles he played — pastoring a church, caring for the elderly, being a civic leader.

I just thought he was a great guy.

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