With heavy hearts and dozens of drive-thru receipts from Taco Bell, we announce the passing of our beloved son, brother, uncle, friend, fishing partner, and driving critic Galen Henry Zink at the age of 51. 

Galen passed away peacefully in a baseball hat (which surprised none of us because the man practically considered it part of his anatomy) at the Rainbow Hospice Care Inpatient Center on May 1st, 2026 with his family by his side. 

Galen was born on December 4th, 1974 in Watertown, WI. He graduated from Dodgeland High School and worked at the Target Distribution Center in Oconomowoc for 30 years. 

He had a heart bigger than Lake Puckaway and would give the shirt off his back without hesitation, though he might complain the whole drive over about the jerk that left too big of a gap when making a right turn through an arrow.

His love for his family and friends was unmatched, though fishing came in at a very close second (depending on the weather, maybe tied for first).  His love for Wisconsin sports taught him resilience, heartbreak, loyalty, and likely hours of yelling expletives at the TV.

But underneath all the sarcasm, stubbornness, and laughs was the bravest man many of us will ever know. He faced his illness without fear, without self-pity, and without ever letting himself get discouraged. Even in the hardest moments, he spent more time worrying about everyone else than he ever did himself. That was just who he was, selfless to his core.

Galen is survived by his dad Albert Zink Jr., sister Pegi Erdmann (John Kolb), brother Albert Zink (Viva), nieces and nephews Trina Clutterbuck (Jeff), Amanda Firari (Tony), Quinn Bergum (Cassidy), Olivia Bergum, Gage Zink, Eloise Zink, great nieces and nephews, other family members, Oscar the gecko, and lots of friends. Like SO many friends. Seriously, who has this many friends? He had to have been paying some of you guys. 

He was preceded in death by his mother Sherry, sister Brenda, nephews Travis and Robert Jr., niece Jade, his aunt Cathy, and other loved ones. 

Special thank you to Dr. Knouse and the team at the Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic. Also to Rainbow Community Care, Palliative Care and Hospice (Sarah Stewart NP-thank you for helping him feel good enough for one last day on the water bass fishing).

The world is a little quieter without him in it…except somewhere, we’re pretty sure he’s still complaining about someone’s horrible grammar.

In honor of him hug your family and friends, get a Culver’s strawberry shake, catch a fish, root for the Packers, enjoy a Jimmy John’s Beach Club Sub, listen to Motownphilly, make a “that’s what she said” joke, and for the love of God-use your turn signal.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date and his family will send out these details as soon as possible. 

Instead of memorials, the family asks that you just “be a Galen”.  Think about what the world would look like with a whole lot more people like him.  

And remember “Goonies Never Say Die!”