38 | SUNRAYS
SEPTEMBER 2013
ONLINE:
SCTXCA.ORG
DON PFANNENSTEIL
SPORTS:
Softball, Tennis, Horseshoes
HOMETOWN:
Salina, KS
PREVIOUS OCCUPATION:
Air Force
Navigator and Pilot; Retired Major, worked
for ING Insurance after leaving the Air
Force.
HOBBIES:
Billiards, Pickleball, Table
Tennis, and enjoying the Sun City Fitness
Centers.
PASSION FOR SOFTBALL:
Don was very
involved in helping to get softball started
for Sun City Texas. He enjoyed playing
the game and was known as a great third
baseman. He really enjoyed being around the
softball players, many of whom became very
good friends. Don demonstrated a passion
for keeping physically fit and it showed as
he played softball, Pickleball and Tennis.
Even in his late 70s, he was one of the better
runners and was used many times as a
pinch runner for younger softball players
with physical ailments. Many of the younger
players commented how good a player he was
for his age and how they hoped that they
could be like Don as they continue to age.
Donmaintained his interest in themilitary as
an active member in the Veterans Memorial
Plaza Group and the local chapter of the
Military Order of the World Wars. He and
his wife, Barbara, lived in Sun City Texas for
12 years and enjoyed the quality of life here,
which allowed them to travel extensively,
especially on cruises.
Written by Roger Groh and Dick Winnike
Photo by Perry Lee
Editor’s Note:
Don Pfannensteil passed
away in early August after battling cancer;
he was and continues to be an inspiration
to all who knew him.
