Peter Franz Zallinger
Peter F. Zallinger was born on November 29, 1943 to artists, Jean (Day) and Rudolph F. Zallinger in New Haven, CT.He was educated at Yale University with a BA in Fine Arts, graduating in 1965. Peter had a splendid bass voice and enjoyed singing for the glee clubs at Yale, especially his senior year when he sang and toured with the ‘65 Whiffenpoofs.
After college he served in the US Naval Reserve, active duty 1966-1969. Lieutenant Zallinger was an Operation Officer on the U.S.S. Davis – DD-937.
After the war he worked as a freelance illustrator in the Boston area illustrating books, book jackets, articles, editorials, advertisements and more. Peter wrote and illustrated three children’s books for Random House on prehistoric animals and dinosaurs. He was commissioned by Yale to paint 3 portraits for their permanent collection.
In 1983 Peter started teaching drawing, painting and perspective at Paier College of Art in Hamden, CT. In 1986, Peter joined the faculty at the Lyme Academy in Old Lyme, CT. He taught drawing, painting, perspective, still life, portrait and figure drawing. Professor Zallinger was a fixture at the Lyme Academy for 34 years. He certainly taught a lot of people how to draw! Peter painted exquisite small still lifes with extraordinary accuracy and skill. He possessed a precision and respect for detail that gave his work a jewel like character. Peter was truly a wizard with the paintbrush.
Peter leaves behind his cherished wife of 28 years, Jocelyn Anne (Plant) and three stepchildren, Francis Brennan of Olympia WA., Jack Brennan of Los Angeles,CA., Patrick Brennan of Brooklyn, NY., and step-grandson, Waylon Skinner of Olympia, WA.
Peter’s beloved little dog, Darby, will sorely miss his “Papa.”
He is survived by his sisters, Kristina Zallinger of Hamden, CT and Lisa David, her husband Bernard David of Willmington, DE. and their two children, Sam David and Emily (Hershman).
The family would like to thank the Middlesex Hospice team and Lynn Farrell for their thoughtful and compassionate care.
REMEMBRANCE by Ralph Protsik: Pete and I sang together for all four years at Yale, including our senior year with the Whiffs. He was an original, a true artist, and a lovely man who never moved with the crowd. He distanced himself from the Whiffs after graduation — for reasons obscure but consistent with his maverick ways. I thought of him often, and will truly miss him and his droll, basso profundo sense of humor. Rest in peace, Brandy, my old friend.