The nation would come to know Gabe Zimmerman as the congressional aide who was shot and killed during a “Congress on Your Corner” event held by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) at a Safeway on Tucson’s northwest side.

Two months after the shootings, Ross Zimmerman is as determined as ever that Gabe be remembered for how he lived, and not only for how he died. He is quick to recall Gabe’s genius for communication and natural athletic ability, and makes special note of his son’s engagement to Kelly O’Brien, a Tucson Medical Center nurse whom he admiringly describes as a 5-foot, 1-inch force of nature. He’s equally candid about his struggle to adjust to life without his son. In this new reality, Ross Zimmerman says there’s only one acceptable path forward: to follow Gabe’s lead.

“I’m still not thrilled about going through the next 30 years without Gabe,” Ross Zimmerman said. “But I realize there are a lot of reasons why we need to. And while we’re here, we need to do a good job and have a good attitude about it.”