Remembering Zeb Blackman: A Life Well Lived, A Legacy That Lasts 

On Labor Day, September 1, we said goodbye to our longtime co-owner, Zeb Blackman, who passed away at the remarkable age of 93. 

Born October 5, 1931, Zeb lived through nearly a century of change. He saw and experienced so much, yet through it all, he remained the same at his core: curious, thoughtful, and deeply connected to the people around him. 

Zeb had an insatiable curiosity. He wasn’t content to sit back and nod along—he wanted to understand. RouteSmart President Larry Levy recalls the day Zeb came to the office, determined to learn what made our route planning solutions so unique. 

“We went into the conference room, closed the door, and I spent the afternoon at the whiteboard explaining it all,” Larry shared. “He loved it. He wanted to be on the inside, to really know how it all came together. He didn’t need to tell anyone else—he just wanted to learn.” 

Even in his 90s, Zeb kept that same spark. Whether discussing clients, debating current events, or inquiring about technology, he leaned in with genuine interest. His leadership was about staying engaged, sharp, and connected to the company he helped build. 

People of all ages were drawn to him. During his memorial service, Rabbi Ronald Brown shared how even a reserved eight-month-old baby once reached out from her crib, arms open, wanting to be held by Zeb. “They compared him to ‘the most interesting man in the world,’” he recalled.  

It was lighthearted, but it rang true—Zeb’s charm, intelligence, and warmth left an impression wherever he went. 

Zeb also had a gift for boiling things down to their essence. Last year, when we faced a tough decision about whether to make an aggressive offer to keep a long-time client, his advice was as clear as it was timeless: 

“Better to have half a loaf than no loaf.” 

That was classic Zeb—practical, steady, and focused on relationships above all else. For him, keeping trust and connection was worth more than squeezing out every last dollar. He believed in people first, business second, and that mindset helped shape our culture. 

And while RouteSmart was a huge part of his life, it wasn’t his only love. Zeb cherished his family, his friendships, and the simple joy of staying connected to the world around him. His curiosity wasn’t limited to work—he kept asking questions, learning, and growing in every part of life. 

Larry Levy, who worked closely with him for decades, put it simply: 

“Zeb was my friend. Zeb was my colleague. And yes, Zeb was my boss. How many of us can truly say we had a boss who was also a friend? I was lucky to have that, and I valued it.” 

Perhaps the greatest lesson Zeb leaves us with is this: never stop learning. Even into his 90s, he modeled the joy of staying curious, staying engaged, and paying attention to the world. 

“He never stopped learning. That never went away,” Larry reflected. “And I think there’s a great lesson there for all of us.” 

One of the places that joy shone brightest was at RouteSmart’s user conference, INTERSECT.  

As Larry tells it: “Every two to three years at our users conference, Zeb was always there. He wouldn’t miss it. Those gatherings brought together so many of the things he valued—educating, entertaining, socializing with clients and employees, and taking pride in what he built.” 

Rabbi Brown also shared a perspective rooted in Jewish tradition: when we reach heaven, one of the questions we are asked is, Did you enjoy life? “For Zeb,” the officiant said, “the answer was clearly yes. He loved to travel, to read, to socialize—and he truly enjoyed life.” 

Zeb’s presence shaped RouteSmart in countless ways—through his wisdom, his humor, his kindness, and his ability to see the bigger picture. His passing leaves a hole, but also a legacy that will continue to inspire us. 

Zeb remained co-owner of RouteSmart up until February 2025, when FedEx acquired RouteSmart. Even in that final chapter, he was deeply involved in the conversations about RouteSmart’s future and how to preserve the company’s values in the face of change. It wasn’t just about leading; it was about being present, helping to guide a transition that respected the company’s history and culture. That steadfastness, even through big moments, is part of what makes his impact so enduring. 

At 93, Zeb’s life reminds us of something simple yet powerful: stay curious, stay connected, and never stop learning.