M. Douglas Zoerb
Melvin Douglas Zoerb was born in Lexington, NE in 1949 to Melvin and Norma Thomason Zoerb. He graduated from Lincoln Southeast High School in 1967. In September 1969, he married his high school sweetheart, Karen Marchange before enlisting in the Marine Corps. Doug did his basic training at MCRD San Diego follow by Advanced Infantry and Sniper School training at Camp Pendleton, CA.
Doug and Karen have three children: Kimberly, 1970 (David Zeleny), Nick Douglas, 1975 (Claudia Mercado) and Michael W. 1981 (MaKayla Shada). They have seven grandchildren: Jenna and Julia Zeleny, Sasha and Victoria, Madison, Rylie and Bryson Douglas Zoerb.
Their daughter, Kimberly Zeleny was born while Doug was AIT. She was 3 days old when Doug came home after sniper training, and he stayed until she was one month old. He went to Vietnam in May 1970 and returned one day before their daughter's 1st birthday in March 1971. Doug served as a Scout Sniper attached to Golf Company First Marine Division. Zoerb was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Rifle Sharpshooter badge. Along with his AIT and Sniper training, Doug was educated in Land Mine Warfare and Vietnamese Language. Upon returning home, he moved his family to CA and finished his tour of duty at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, CA. Vietnam was a part of his life that he didn't talk much about.
Requesting and receiving an "early out" in August of '71, the family moved back to Nebraska, where Doug attended the University of Nebraska majoring in business administration. Graduating in May 1974, the Zoerbs moved to Geneva, NE, where Doug worked for Geneva, State Bank. He also worked at banks in Milligan and Lexington, NE. In 1984 Doug was hired by Roy Dinsdale to be president of Pinnacle Bank, Shelby, NE. One last move in 1992 brought the family to Gretna, NE, where as President of Pinnacle Bank, Doug was recognized by his peers, the Nebraska Bankers Association and Sarpy County Business Leaders. He was known for his foresight, compassion, and his integrity.
M. Douglas Zoerb passed away May 27, 2015, from the crippling, debilitating disease, ALS. Prior to ALS, Doug also had heart surgery and cancer, all three diseases known to be service-related due to Agent Orange in Vietnam. Nonetheless, Cpl. Douglas Zoerb was very proud of his service and he would be especially proud of the Chapter of the Marine Corps League chartered in Washington D.C., in his name. The Marines of the Cpl. Douglas Zoerb Marine Corps Detachment #1466 are definitely, "Semper Fi". They are "always faithful" in taking care of Doug's widow.
