Portrait of Robert Zbinden. IMB Photo
Robert Zbinden, an International Mission Board missionary emeritus who shared the gospel in Hungary, died April 15, 2026. He was 93.
Bob was born March 14, 1933, in Geneva County, Georgia, to the late A.D. and Margaret Zbinden. He graduated from Dothan (Alabama) High School and received the Bachelor of Arts from Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama, and the Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky.
He married Zona Kelly on Nov. 23, 1956. During seminary, he served as associate pastor and minister of music for Southside Baptist Church in Covington, Kentucky. After graduation they moved to Georgia, where Bob began the first of several pastorates.
While seeking missionary appointment Bob wrote, “I was in college when I first remember considering foreign missions. … In the middle of my seminary education Zona and I went forward during a Missionary Day chapel service. The invitation was one to commit to foreign missions should God open the door. … We were both ready, but the door never opened. … Then in 1982, I was invited to go to the Philippines with the FMB (Foreign Mission Board) in an Evangelistic Crusade. While there I found out there were opportunities open to those my age.”
In 1993, the International Mission Board (formerly Foreign Mission Board) appointed Bob and Zona missionaries to Hungary, where he served as pastor of the International Baptist Church in Budapest.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Zona; and a son-in-law, Robert Ehrhart.
He is survived by his children, Melanie Zbinden Ehrhart of Dothan, Alabama, Zack Zbinden (Karen) of Dothan, Kelly Zbinden (Jamie) of Richmond, Virginia, and Mary Beth McHargue (Mike) of Greenville, Florida; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life service was held April 19 at Heritage Baptist Church in Dothan.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Lottie Moon Offering, IMB, 3806 Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA 23230, or online at Generosity Resource Center – IMB Generosity.
Read an obituary here.