08/18/2026
As promised, obituary and funeral information for BBZ.
BARBARA BROWN ZIKMUND
1939 – 2026
Barbara Brown Zikmund was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on October 16, 1939. She was the daughter of Henry D. and Helen Brown, formerly of Albion, Michigan. She attended Mumford High School and was active in Mayflower Congregational Church, both in Detroit.
She graduated from Beloit College in 1961, intending to pursue a career in Christian ministry. She earned a Bachelor of Divinity in 1964 and a Ph.D in American Church History in 1969 from Duke University. She was ordained in the United Church of Christ upon completing her B.D. degree.
After leaving Duke, she taught at Albright College, Temple University, Ursinus College, and Albion College.
In 1975 she was the first woman to join the faculty of Chicago Theological Seminary as Director of Studies. Six years later she became the first woman to serve as Academic Dean of Pacific School of Religion. During her ten years at PSR she was elected the first woman to serve, first as Vice President and then as President of the Association of Theological Schools of North America.
In 1990 Barbara was the first woman to become President of Hartford Seminary. During her time there she devoted serious attention to Muslim-Christian relations, one of the important foci of the Seminary. She also served as President of the American Church History Society.
After leaving the Presidency of Hartford in 2000, Barbara spent four years as a Visiting Professor of American Studies at Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan.
Returning to the United States in 2005, she held research and teaching positions at Catholic University in Washington, DC and Wesley Seminary.
Barbara also received honorary doctorates from Ursinus College, University of Hartford, and Doane University.
Throughout her entire career Barbara was both committed to and very active in the United Church of Christ. She served multiple times on the UCC Historical Council and edited the seven volume Living Theological Heritage of the United Church of Christ.
Barbara’s death came at the end of a long illness.
She is survived by her husband of almost 65 years, Joseph Zikmund II, her son, Brian Zikmund-Fisher (Naomi), her two grandchildren, Eve Waters (Kelsey) and Jade Zikmund-Fisher, and her sister, Shirley Beltz (Phillip).
Visitation will be held on Monday, August 24 at 10 AM with funeral services to follow at 11 AM at St. Paul United Church of Christ, 14600 Old US Highway 12, Chelsea, MI 48118
Memorial donations may be made to Hartford International University for Religion and Peace, 77 Sherman St., Hartford, CT 06105
May she rest in peace.
