Donald Panzer Obituary

Panzer
Donald Frederick
Panzer
March 25, 1932
October 27, 2025

Donald Frederick Panzer was born in Detroit, MI on March 25, 1932. The only child of Fred and Anna (Hartke) Panzer. He spent many moments playing "war" growing up so it was natural he would seek a military career. He entered the US Military Academy at West Point, six months after finding the love of his life, Marie Kummerfeld. They exchanged letters daily for four years and married after graduation on June 26, 1954.
Don's first assignment was The Artillery School at Fort Sill, OK, where they established friendships that would last a lifetime. Don's career took him to school at Fort Sill three times, including teaching the employment of nuclear weapons. He attended the US Naval Postgraduate School and was awarded a Master's Degree in Physics. Other assignments included battery and battalion positions in WA and HI. Staff positions included Warhead Development Officer for the anti-ballistic missile system office in Washington DC; Psychological Warfare advisor to the Vietnamese I Corp in DaNang, VN; and battalion command at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He graduated from the Naval War College and was assigned as the Nuclear Weapons Branch Chief for NATO Southern Region in Naples, Italy. His final assignment was Operation Officer, then Deputy Commander of Region VI at Fort Knox, KY.
He retired to Monument, CO and worked in the insurance/investment business. He hiked and camped throughout Colorado and other states. Highlights were annual family vacations and week-long camping trips with each grandchild.
At age 75, Don and his son David started climbing Colorado's Fourteeners. He scaled eight peaks with family members until he reached age 83 and continued hiking at lower altitudes.
He was active in serving the Lord through chapel activities and then at the Church at Woodmoor.
After Marie's passing in 2018 after 63 years of marriage, Don found happiness with a neighbor, Joyce Van Dell. They married on Halloween 2019 with The Cat in the Hat as witness. Joyce preceded Don in death in 2023.
Don is survived by his children, Douglas (Monika) of Yachats, OR; Susan Jackson (Walt) of Centennial, CO; David (Elizabeth) of Arvada, CO; and by his grandchildren Lewis Panzer, Alex and Alessa Jackson, Drake, Nathan and Reid Panzer; and by his great-grandson Emmett Panzer; and by Joyce's daughter, Lori Alejo, and her family.
A memorial service will be held at the Church at Woodmoor on February 7, 2026 at 2 pm.