‘Ay Ziggy Zoomba’ composer dies at 87

Gilbert T. Fox, 87, the BGSU alumnus who wrote the University spirit song “Ay Ziggy Zoomba,” died Nov. 11 in Grass Valley, Calif.

He was born in 1917 in Connecticut to Harry J. and Ida Fox, and grew up in Bridgeport, Conn., and Harrison, N.Y. He received a bachelor of science degree in education from BGSU in 1948.

Fox met his future wife while at the University. After marrying, they moved to Greenwich Village, N.Y. He was a first lieutenant bombardier in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II, earning the Europe, Africa and Middle East Campaign Ribbon, Battle Stars for the Southern France and Rome-Arno campaigns, the Purple Heart and three Air Medals.

He later retired to Grass Valley, where he lived for the past 20 years. Fox acted in local community theater productions. A published author, he also excelled in fencing and was an accomplished pianist.

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