Zehr was born in Baden, Ontario, and is a graduate of Rockway Mennonite Collegiate in Kitchener.

He has served as a member of the board of numerous Kitchener area organizations: the Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro Board, the University of Waterloo, Centre in the Square, and Kitchener Housing Inc.[2] Zehr is a Certified General Accountant, a member and past chair of the Certified General Accountants of Ontario, and a fellow (FCGA) of the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada.

In 1991 he received the Ivy Thomas Award, which is bestowed upon an Ontario CGA who has achieved provincial recognition for outstanding public service or charitable involvement, including humanitarian acts.

Zehr appeared in a cameo role episode 2, season 1 of CTV's Dan for Mayor.

Zehr was the Ontario Liberal Party candidate in Kitchener—Wilmot in the 1990 provincial election, but came in second to New Democrat Mike Cooper.