He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, and served during World War II, receiving a Bronze Star.
He also was the sales voice and poster face of Century Village, an active retirement community in South Florida.
He was able to use his position with children to change views on race relations, the peace movement, and later in his career, treatment of the elderly.
His "Word of the Day" helped young immigrants to learn the English language, including many Cubans that moved into Miami during the years of his show.
Zink died in January 2006 in Boca Raton, Florida, under care of Hospice by the Sea at the age of 80 of complications from a massive stroke suffered on December 19, 2005.