Ed Zern

Zern died on March 25, 1994, of Parkinson's disease. Typically for him, he made jokes about his ailment, saying, "I shake a lot. But it keeps my wristwatch wound." He also claimed that his shaking hand caused a tied fly to more closely resemble a real insect when in the water.

When Zern retired from Field and Stream in 1993, the magazine's managing editor, Maggie Nichols, said, "No one could possibly take Ed's place." "Exit Laughing" disappeared from the back page of the magazine. However, "out of respect for sales", his old columns began to be reprinted.

In November, 1958, Field and Stream first published Zern's his "Exit Laughing" column. It remained a magazine feature for over 30 years .

In 1953, Zern created an annual Conservation Awards Program, originally sponsored by American Motors Corporation and later sponsored by Gulf Oil Corporation. The awards were presented annually to 10 professional conservationists employed by nonprofit organizations, and to 10 persons whose conservation efforts were voluntary. As of 1983, Zern himself was still the Program Director for the award. At the time of his death, it was known as the Chevron/Times Mirror Magazines Conservation Award.

After submitting several humorous articles to Collier's, a former editor there suggested that he write a book about fishing. Zern reportedly said, "To Hell With Fishing," and that became the book title. Published in 1945, To Hell With Fishing sold hundreds of thousands of copies. Regarding book, Zern was quoted as saying, "I don't think many fishermen bought it; people bought it to give to fishermen."

Zern attended Pennsylvania State University, graduating with a degree in English literature in 1932. Zern then took the $400 he had earned writing for the college newspaper and went to Paris, with the aim of writing a novel. After four months, Zern returned to the United States, having failed to write the novel. He then worked as a merchant seaman for 18 months. After his time at sea, Zern returned home and got married.

Zern was survived by his companion, Sandra Weiner; his daughter, Erica; son, Brook; brother, Gordon; and two granddaughters. His wife, Evelyn Mencken (1912-1978), whom he married in 1937, predeceased him.

Edward Geary Zern (December 13, 1910 – March 25, 1994) was a writer, humorist, fisherman, environmentalist and conservationist. Zern was a popular columnist at Field & Stream Magazine.