Robert E. Zoellner, born in 1932, earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Lehigh University in 1954. While an undergraduate, Zoellner was a member of the ice hockey team, Air Force ROTC, Brown & White, Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, and the Interfraternity Council. Following graduation, he served two years in the Air Force, before embarking on a successful career on Wall Street. Specializing in risk arbitrage, Mr. Zoellner founded Alpine Associates with his wife, Victoria.

Mr. Zoellner was the first person to complete a collection of United States stamps with major Scott Catalogue numbers. The claim that Benjamin K. Miller achieved completion is incorrect; Miller was missing at least two stamps that were listed at the time.

Mr. Zoellner's collection was sold by the Siegel firm in 1998 (Sale 804).

Mr. Zoellner passed away in 2014.