David L. Pfannenstiel

A fine father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend, David Lee Pfannenstiel, passed away unexpectedly on September 25, 2018. Dave was born on December 9, 1949 in Longmont, Colorado. He was raised in the country on the eastern slope of the Rockies and would call Colorado his home for the remainder of his life.
At age 18, Dave joined the US Air Force and became a skilled aircraft mechanic. He left home an innocent boy and returned a hardened man. He proudly served his country with three tours in Viet Nam, although he seldom spoke of the war. He kept the horrors deeply hidden, replacing them instead with a deep-seated sense of humor and an undertow of sarcasm, sparing no one. His one-liners were as dry as they come and delivered on point, lightening any mood with equal amounts of laughter and groans. And to those who knew him well, there was no reprieve.
Dave married Fonda Norris and had two children, Michael and Jamie. He later married Linda Kurz and welcomed her three children as his own. Together they raised their blended family, often wondering how they managed five teenagers at the same time and under one roof. Those children went on to produce several grandchildren, and he was so proud to be "Grandpa Dave" and share in their little lives.
Dave worked most of his life as a machinist, first at Rocky Flats and most recently at Mid-Western Millwright in Fort Morgan. He enjoyed honing his skills well into retirement and was proud to be able to exhibit precision without the aid of a computer or software. He could always design and build the most intricate of mechanical parts with ease.
Although a quiet and gentle man, Dave didn't hesitate to share his opinions, though never in a harsh or mean-spirited way. He had little tolerance for incompetent people or ignorance when it came to politics, but his heart was large and generous when it came to those less fortunate. He loved children and animals and they loved him; a true testament to good character in a man.
Dave enjoyed elk hunting, caribou hunting trips to Alaska and many a fishing trip with his family in Montana. He was a lifetime member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, a proud member of the NRA, a member of the American Legion, and active with Toys for Tots. His passions were great, and his convictions were many, but none as strong as his commitment to the VFW Chapter in Longmont. He spent most of his life dedicated to working there and serving in many capacities, but he was best known for his superb cooking skills and catering many of the club's functions. He was a true Patriot and continued to serve his country and its' Veterans long after his discharge from the service.
Dave is survived by his wife, Linda, his son Mike (Lisa) Pfannenstiel and grandchildren Ashley, Daniel, Grayson, and Jackson, daughter Jamie Pfannenstiel and granddaughter Lauren, stepsons Weston Kurz (Kristin ) and daughters Emily and Katie, Alex Kurz (Kelly) and daughters Hannah and Lily, stepdaughter Miranda Brazil (Ray), his mother, Esther Pfannenstiel, brothers Darrell (Pauline) Pfannenstiel, Dean Pfannenstiel, and sister Donna Fredericks (Pat), close friend Donald "Doc" Will and many other family members and friends too numerous to mention.
He was preceded in death by his father, Julius Pfannenstiel and both sets of grandparents.
Memorials can be made to Wounded Warriors or your local Toys for Tots program.
And as Dave would remind us, "It will feel better when it stops hurting."